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TAV hasn’t given up on the Montenegro airports concession despite the coronavirus

Despite the coronavirus crisis, TAV has still been greatly interested in the Montenegro airports concession and the company’s ready to take part in the bidding, Mr Naser Alim, head of the Turkey-Montenegro Business Council, said in an interview for Dnevne Novine daily.

-Key moments from the interview with Mr Alim-

The Turkey-Montenegro Business Council was established in 2008. Are you satisfied with the relations between the two countries?

Alim: As you already know, soon after Montenegro proclaimed independence, the Montenegro-Turkey Business Council DEIK started with its functioning. When I took the office, I noticed Montenegro knew little about the DEIK studies. After that, we focused on the commercial diplomacy and accelerated our work.

In 2019, our export to Montenegro went up by 66% compared to 2018, amounting to around 131.5 million dollars. Based on all indicators, the scope of our trade by 2022 will be worth 250 million dollars.

Are there any areas where we could upgrade the cooperation?

Alim: Montenegro is dependent on imports in many sectors, and the manufacturing industry is almost underdeveloped. Therefore, investing in any sector of industrial products will be a great gain for the Montenegrin economy.

In addition to tourism, agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure, I see significant investment opportunities in port operations and the banking and financial sector. I would particularly like to separate two sectors: agriculture and tourism. If investments in this sector are properly identified and supported by infrastructure projects, very serious investments will come to Montenegro for a maximum of two years. Hotel and housing construction can be considered as the third important sector. In this sense, very serious projects have started in Montenegro and serious effects will be seen in one to two years.

Do Turkish companies find Montenegro interesting for investment?

Alim: Within foreign direct investments to Montenegro in 2019, Turkey participated with 34.4 million euro and held the eighth position. According to latest data, the number of companies opened by the Turks in Montenegro is more than 3.100. However, only 350-400 are actively working.

I want to underline once again, Montenegro can be an important investment destination for Turkish companies and investors.

 

Turkish TAV is one of the companies that wants a concession for Montenegrin airports. The decision is up to the Government of Montenegro, but can you tell us how serious TAV is and whether it is recognized in the world of the aviation industry?

Alim: TAV represents a global brand in airport operations, is cooperating with 15 airports in eight countries and it welcomes 89 million passengers a year. Along with ADP (Aeroports de Paris is the main shareholder of the TAV Holding), they work with 27 airports and welcome about 220 million passengers a year. TAV has extensive knowledge in concession projects, working with governments and authorities, understanding their needs and providing solutions in the areas of designing, financing, building, operating and promoting airports in all their projects around the world.

Do Turkish citizens find Montenegro interesting as a tourism destination?

Alim: At this point, two important factors have to be considered. Easy transport and the number of flights should be enough to attract these tourists. Accommodation and transportation must meet the expectations of Turkish tourists. At the same time, I’ve already suggested that it is necessary for tourists from Montenegro to come to Turkey on mutual charter flights, and we will pay additional attention to this issue.

The Clinical Center recently received a donation from you. Why did you choose Montenegro for the donation?

Alim: I greatly respect Montenegro and preside over the Turkey-Montenegro Business Council that operates within the Foreign Economic Relations Committee of Turkey, DEIK. I felt not only a moral need but also a duty to help the Montenegrin healthcare system in these very challenging moments.

Turkish investors have heard about the north of Montenegro, but concrete projects are still pending

Is the north of Montenegro interesting for Turkish companies to invest in it?

Alim: I think that Turkish investors have heard a lot about the north of Montenegro, but a good presentation with specific projects has not been made. As you know, investors are looking for two things: a project with a speedy payback period and sufficient staff in the region. We were preparing for that before the coronavirus. We have started with a forum with concrete projects, and we are working together with the Embassy of Ankara and the Consulate General of Istanbul on the promotion of the northern region. We haven’t given up on this. After returning to normal, we will present this project to investors.

 

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