The Mayor of Bijelo Polje, Petar Smolović, welcomed the announcement of Mohamed Alabbar’s visit to northern Montenegro, one of the world’s most renowned real estate investors, emphasizing that “all reputable investors are welcome in Bijelo Polje.”
“Mr. Alabbar, like any other renowned investor, is welcome to northern Montenegro, especially to Bijelo Polje. We are ready to jointly assess the wishes of the investor and our potentials and try to align them for the benefit of the local community,” Smolović said.
Speaking about the potential contribution of such investments, Smolović emphasized that the key goal is the valorization of natural and human resources.
“Absolutely, the goal of all serious investments is the valorization of the natural and human potentials of Bijelo Polje and the north as a whole, which the public has long been aware of – primarily the Bjelasica mountain massif, which encompasses five municipalities,” said the Mayor.
Commenting on the adoption of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation and the Agreement on Cooperation in Tourism and Real Estate Development between Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates, Smolović stressed the importance of involving local communities.
“Any international agreement should first be aligned with local communities and then, through a transparent public debate, achieve the widest possible consensus among all interested parties at the local and national levels, with full respect for the legislation and good international practices. Only then should it be offered to international partners,” said Smolović.
He also pointed out the need for a fast and efficient public administration that won’t slow down investments, while maintaining transparency and equal conditions for all investors.
“It is indisputable that strategic investors expect fast and efficient public administration, which will not delay investments with its sluggishness, but this must be transparently explained to the public, and all potential investors must be treated equally and placed on the same starting position, so that both municipalities and the country as a whole can extract the maximum benefits for the local community and the budget, which, from a market perspective, are possible, but also internationally competitive at a given moment,” added Smolović.
Finally, the Mayor of Bijelo Polje sent a clear message to potential investors:
“We have interesting projects not only for investors from the Emirates but also for serious investors from other destinations. We are open to dialogue and support within the framework of the applicable regulations. Whoever completes the projects started at Bjelasica and Đalovića Cave and activates the airport in Berane will determine the development of not just the north but the entire Montenegro,” concluded Smolović.
