Montenegro should not allow annual imports of around twenty million tons of brick products, especially since abundant raw materials exist domestically, former workers of the demolished brick factory in Berane told RTCG Portal. They expect that an investor will be found to revive and utilize the resources on the site of the former factory.
Quality clay deposits suitable for brick production are located in Budimlja, Jasikovac, and Polica, covering 30 hectares with estimated reserves exceeding six million cubic meters. At Jasikovac alone, reserves are estimated at 1.3 million tons, with a potential of 2.1 million tons. Building a roofing tile factory could meet domestic demand.
Currently, Montenegro has no active brick factory, although restarting production could offer a wide range of products such as ceramic blocks, construction bricks, insulating blocks, and more.
The original brick factory in Berane, the oldest industrial facility in the town, was privatized in 2005 by a company from Podgorica. Production was halted in 2008, and the factory buildings were demolished under promises of building a modern facility. However, these promises were never fulfilled. Despite government and municipal mediation, the factory went bankrupt, workers were laid off, and the factory’s assets were repeatedly auctioned at decreasing prices. Eventually, a local buyer purchased the land for a fraction of its initial value but has no plans to restart production.
Former workers suspect that import interests influenced the factory’s closure, as its products covered a significant portion of the Montenegrin market. They accuse influential individuals close to former authorities of contributing to the shutdown and neglect of contractual obligations by the previous owner.
They call on state authorities to take measures to find a suitable investor willing to establish a new brick factory in Berane, stressing that profitability is certain with appropriate government support. Montenegro imports brick products worth approximately 20 million euros annually.
Since 2008, workers have unsuccessfully demanded accountability for those responsible for the factory’s closure and demolition, labeling the situation an economic crime with no consequences so far.
