While billions are being announced and reforms planned, the north of Montenegro still waits for concrete progress.
For Ernad Suljević, Minister of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with NGOs from the Bosniak Party (BS), the agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the money Mohamed Alabar wants to invest in Montenegro are of vital importance for further development.
In Bijelo Polje, he announces the continuation of capital tourism projects, but also a possible reassessment of the coalition with the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
While residents of Ulcinj raised their voices against Alabar’s planned investments at Velika Plaža (Long Beach), mayors from the north are racing to propose projects that the Arab investor could implement.
For Minister Suljević, there is no doubt that this is a serious investor backed by a serious country.
“This investor deserves attention. He wants to invest serious money in Montenegro—whether it’s 2.5 or 30 billion, that doesn’t even matter anymore. What matters is that investment is coming, and that Montenegro finally starts to develop and build a stable economic policy,” Suljević told Televizija Vijesti.
That no serious economic policy was led in previous years is best demonstrated by the halted investments in the north, into which the Government of Montenegro had already invested significant funds.
Suljević claims the situation will change, especially in his hometown of Bijelo Polje, and says he has received assurances at the highest level.
“All that remains now is for things to move at the government level, and we expect full-scale work to begin soon on the Đalovića Cave project. The ski center is a slightly more complex situation, but significant investment has been made there as well, so I expect work to start soon,” said Suljević.
For the Bosniak Party in Bijelo Polje, it is unacceptable for coalition partners at the national level to impose conditions, given that they formed the local government with the DPS after the 2022 local elections.
However, Suljević emphasizes that if the government is to change without elections, it must offer something that brings real benefit to the citizens.
“We’re not avoiding dialogue, and I repeat: we are open to sitting down with the local opposition, to see what they can offer as an alternative to the current government. Is it better, more efficient, will we accomplish more? If so, we are open to discussion,” Suljević said.
Although the public is most interested in political and economic topics, Minister Suljević also announced amendments to the NGO law, which will improve the regulation of this sector with around 7,000 registered organizations.
He says that some proposed changes will significantly simplify the work of civil society organizations.
“After data processing, you’ll receive the registration decision with an electronic signature on your computer. This means you’ll be able to register a non-governmental organization or political party without leaving your office,” Suljević said.
In a country full of strategies, plans, and announcements, it’s precisely results that are lacking.
If Đalovića Cave remains just a metaphor for tourism, and the digital reform just an empty click, the citizens of the north will once again pay the price of unfulfilled promises.
