Of all the projects currently being considered by Alabar’s team, according to information from Pobjeda, Jelovica, a mountain massif in the hinterland of Berane, particularly stands out. The local government promotes it as a green destination with high ecological value. Bjelasica already has basic infrastructure thanks to the Kolašin 1450 and 1600 ski resorts, while Hajla, a mountain stretching along the border with Kosovo, remains one of the last untouched areas ready for development. A visit by the presidents of the northern municipalities to Dubai is expected, where the presented ideas will be elaborated.

After Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates signed and ratified agreements on cooperation in tourism and investment, the public eagerly awaited the first concrete steps. As Pobjeda learns, the first moves are coming from the office of Mohamed Alabar, the founder of Emaar and one of the most influential investors from the Middle East. While until recently there was talk of large investments in Ulcinj, it is now clear that Alabar will redirect his plans towards the north of Montenegro, with a primary focus on Jelovica, Bjelasica, and Hajla.
Sources close to the Eagle Hills company have informed Pobjeda that conceptual solutions for several locations in the north of the country are already being developed, while Ulcinj, they claim, is no longer being considered due to the clear stance of the local parliament and the mayor. The decision came after a ‘communication breakdown’ with the local administration and a campaign against the investor, which for Alabar’s team was a signal that it was time to change strategy.

“MOUNTAINS INSTEAD OF THE SEA”
While public attention was focused on the coastline, Alabar’s team was carefully preparing the ground in the north. According to information from the Ministry of Public Works, almost all northern municipalities – Berane, Žabljak, Plav, Mojkovac, Bijelo Polje, Rožaje, Kolašin, Andrijevica, Gusinje, Petnjica, and Šavnik – have submitted concrete proposals to investors. These are projects that include the construction of ski resorts, high-category hotels, luxury eco-villages, the revitalization of historical sites, the development of rural tourism, and renewable energy sources, all of which Pobjeda had insight into.

“Thus, the municipality of Žabljak has proposed the construction of two new ski slopes, their connection by gondolas, and the development of the Gorske oči site, along with a new hotel complex near Savin Kuk. Berane offers the ‘Jelovica Luxury Retreat’ project, which also includes the restoration of the local airport. Rožaje proposes the construction of the ‘Hajla – Štedim’ ski resort, while Plav highlights Mount Bogićevice as the location for a large tourist complex.

Mojkovac, in addition to mountain facilities on Bjelasica, also envisions the restoration of the medieval town of Brskovo. In Bijelo Polje, the proposal includes connecting ski resorts at the tri-border area of the municipalities and the valorization of the Đalovića Cave, while Kolašin wants to continue the development of existing capacities on Bjelasica.

Petnjica suggests the development of the Radmanska Gorge through sports, rural tourism, and renewable energy sources, while Andrijevica focuses on gondolas and ski slopes on Bjelasica. Šavnik plans the construction of wind farms and a tourist resort at the Pošćenje site.”

JELOVICA AMONG THE FAVORITES

“However, of all the projects currently being considered by Alabar’s team, Jelovica, a mountain massif in the hinterland of Berane, particularly stands out. The local government promotes it as a green destination with high ecological value. Bjelasica already has basic infrastructure thanks to the Kolašin 1450 and 1600 ski resorts. Hajla, a mountain stretching along the border with Kosovo, remains one of the last untouched areas ready for development. A visit by the presidents of the northern municipalities to Dubai is expected, where the presented ideas will be elaborated.

“We’ve done our homework. We offer clean land, a stable local administration, and a clear desire to develop,’ said a local official from Plav, adding that what is being sought is not gifts, but partnership.

The president of the municipality of Berane, ĐoleLutovac, previously stated that the Jelovica location was carefully chosen under planning documents, and that including the airport and the Bjelasica mountain range opens up a new development opportunity for this area.

Everything points to the fact that the north of Montenegro, long neglected on investment maps, is finally getting its chance. The open question remains – will the local communities know how to take advantage of it? The signed and ratified agreements with the UAE foresee projects both in the south and in the north of Montenegro.”

RESERVATIONS FROM THE SOUTH

“While concrete proposals and clear interest were coming from the north, the south of the country is dominated by silence, protests, and reservations.

Ulcinj, in the early stages, offered several attractive locations: Modules II of the Great Beach, Ada Bojana, river islands, the Mavrijan tourist settlement, a marina beneath the Old Town, and the ambitious international project SEEIIST – a center for sustainable technologies. However, communication stalled, protests began, and a campaign against the valorization of the Great Beach was launched, causing investor interest to shift elsewhere. In Bar, as we have learned, the continuation of the marina project – phase II, the construction of a container terminal at the Port of Bar, the valorization of the Topolica 3 zone for hotel construction, and even the idea of an airport at Mrskovo field were proposed.

Tivat offered the Montepranzo land, located near the airport, while Budva highlighted the areas of Buljarica, Jaz, and Mrčevo Polje – but there was resistance from part of the public and the NGO sector. Herceg Novi, in line with its current policy, offered additional opportunities for the valorization of the Luštica peninsula.

Despite these offers, the south of the country seems to be sidelined for now. Defying institutional silence, market dynamics dictate the pace, and the investor is currently turning to the north. The investments planned for the mountainous part of the country could bring hundreds of new jobs, infrastructure development, and strengthen the local economy. For some municipalities, these investments are even a matter of biological survival. However, experts warn of the need for caution: Montenegro must learn lessons from previous similar arrangements – from Chinese infrastructure loans to Azerbaijani investments in real estate.

The start of the implementation of agreements with the UAE could mark a new developmental phase for the north of the country – if it is led strategically, transparently, and in line with the public interest. While the south chooses to wait or hesitates, the north is already preparing for Alabar’s visit.

After Belgrade on the Water, We Could Get – Gusinje on the Water

The municipality of Gusinje has presented perhaps the most ambitious vision – the construction of luxury tourist complexes along river courses, a panoramic gondola, and even the concept of a new city on the water.

The territory of the Koljenović katun above Ali-paša’s springs, and below Vezirovbrdo – tourist complexes, high-category hotels with a large construction capacity, the starting position for a panoramic gondola to Mount Bor. Along the banks of the Ljuča River, at the foot of Mount Bor, the construction of a new city and tourist complexes of high-category hotels (Gusinje on the Water). On the banks of the Vruja River, the possibility of constructing tourist complexes of high-category hotels, and on the banks of the Grlja River, the possibility of constructing tourist complexes of high-category hotels, according to the proposals from the municipality of Gusinje, which Pobjeda had insight into.

(Pobjeda.me)