The prequalification tender for the construction of the Mateševo-Andrijevica highway section will be canceled by the end of February, and the main tender will be announced on the same day, at the request of the European Union Delegation in Podgorica and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the government confirmed to “Vijesti.”
The EU and EBRD previously asked the government to cancel the prequalification tender for the contractor selection and announce the main tender, allowing all companies, including those that did not pass the prequalification, to apply.
According to the newspaper, the formal reason for canceling the prequalification tender is the relocation of the route due to protests by residents of the Kralje and Slatina villages near Andrijevica, which resulted in a 14-kilometer alteration. Sources told “Vijesti” that another reason was the lack of European companies applying to the prequalification tender, with the only applicants being contractors from China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
This request could delay the start of construction for this second section of Montenegro’s highway by up to a year.
The crux of the issue is that European partners were dissatisfied with the fact that only non-European companies—namely Chinese, Turkish, and Azerbaijani firms—applied. They pointed out that the Montenegrin government had not adequately promoted the project within the EU prior to announcing the prequalification tender.
Government representatives in charge of this part of the process claim that the project was advertised everywhere and that no EU companies responded, as reported by “Vijesti.”
“Vijesti” sent inquiries to the EU Delegation and EBRD to confirm whether they had requested the cancellation of the prequalification tender, and if so, what the reasons were. Specifically, they inquired if the lack of EU companies was the cause and whether the existing bids had been evaluated.
In response, the EBRD confirmed the details but did not directly address the questions.
“Regarding your inquiry, we can confirm that the tender for the construction of the second section of the highway from Mateševo to Andrijevica is being conducted by Monteput, and after finalization, it will be published on the e-procurement portal for EBRD clients. In accordance with EBRD’s procurement policies and procedures, the client is fully responsible for implementing the bank’s procedures, including all aspects of the procurement process from planning to contract award, while the bank provides advice and support to the client throughout the process. For further questions, please contact Monteput directly,” stated the EBRD.
“Vijesti” is awaiting responses from Monteput and the Prime Minister’s office.
The European Commission announced at the beginning of last year that it would participate in the construction of this section with a €100 million grant, while the EBRD would provide a favorable loan of €200 million.
Due to these favorable terms, the government will have to comply with the demands of European partners unless it can finance the construction of this 24-kilometer section, which is estimated to cost between €550 and €600 million, on its own.
The prequalification tender was announced in April last year, following the rules and procedures of the EBRD, and concluded at the end of June. It was announced that five companies and three consortiums applied, though details of the bids were not provided.
“Next, the evaluation of the applications will follow according to EBRD criteria, which include legal and financial capabilities, proven experience on similar projects, and compliance with internationally recognized environmental protection, social, health, and safety standards,” Monteput stated at the end of June last year.
A few days before the prequalification tender closed, a meeting took place between the then Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Filip Radulović, and the Minister of Finance, Novica Vuković, with the delegation of the Chinese company CRBC.
“I am pleased that Chinese companies are interested in building the second section of the highway from Mateševo to Andrijevica. I am confident that through a transparent public process, which will be conducted according to EBRD rules, we will find a contractor who will meet the requirements,” Radulović said at the time.
Vuković emphasized that Montenegro needs investors like CRBC.
“The largest investment in our country has been the construction of the first section of the highway from Smokovac to Mateševo. The cooperation with the Chinese EXIM Bank has also been extremely important for us,” said Vuković.
