Municipalities have significant potential, while the diaspora has the capacity to help develop that potential if it is presented to them in the right way, it was emphasized today at the signing of the Cooperation Agreement signed by Mišela Manojlović, Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, and the Minister of Diaspora in the Government of Montenegro. Mirsad Azemović.
The contribution of the diaspora is reflected in numerous projects implemented with its support, as well as in humanitarian initiatives and donations generously provided by our people living abroad, Minister Azemović stated. He emphasized the impact of the diaspora on Montenegro’s overall socio-economic development and noted that, in order to provide the wider public with a clearer picture of the scale of diaspora investments, a portfolio of their investments in Montenegro is planned to be prepared. The Minister believes that closer cooperation with the diaspora could accelerate the implementation of many projects, particularly in the north of the country, and that, in order to achieve this, investment opportunities must be presented in an appropriate manner.
The interlocutors agreed that the purpose of this Agreement is precisely to foster municipal development through investment, encourage diaspora investment in Montenegrin municipalities, particularly in the areas of tourism, infrastructure and agriculture, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote the potential of Montenegrin local governments, as well as encourage the exchange of experiences between the diaspora and local governments.
Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro Mišela Manojlović recalled that planning competences are being returned to municipalities, creating opportunities for the faster preparation of planning documents as a prerequisite for development. Manojlović briefed Minister Azemović on the projects of the Union of Municipalities and highlighted the Network of External Experts, which was established specifically to monitor available funding opportunities for project implementation. Manojlović also presented to Minister Azemović and his associates, including State Secretary Adelom Omeragićem i načelnicom AjlomDervišević, the projects aimed at developing health tourism by linking health, eco, rural and other forms of tourism with organic agricultural production and healthy lifestyles across all Montenegrin municipalities, elevating Montenegro’s tourism brand to a new “BIO & ECO” level, enhancing its international prestige and attracting much-needed foreign investment, as well as a project aimed at providing comprehensive support to children and young people without parental care from the “Mladost” Children’s Home in Bijela, both during their stay at the institution and after leaving it.
These are all potential areas of cooperation between the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry of Diaspora, it was concluded at the meeting.
The Cooperation Agreement sets out joint activities such as the preparation of a brochure on the investment potential of Montenegrin municipalities, aimed at the diaspora and covering investment opportunities in various sectors at the local government level, specific municipal projects of interest to the diaspora, investment modalities and legal procedures, tax incentives and other incentives for diaspora investors. In addition, promotional events and activities have been announced to provide the diaspora with information on investment opportunities in municipalities, along with support for the implementation of projects of mutual interest to the diaspora and local governments.
The Ministry and the Union of Municipalities will cooperate in providing mutual technical and organizational support for the implementation of joint projects and measures, pool their capacities for representation and advocacy, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices.
Cooperation Agreement with the Ministry of Diaspora
