The tender committee for awarding the concession to operate Podgorica and Tivat airports did not hold its scheduled meeting yesterday, as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has yet to deliver its analysis of the financial bids. The analysis is expected by Friday, when a final decision may be made.
Two companies remain in the running after technical evaluations: South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Luxembourg-based Corporación América Airports (CAAP). Financial bids reveal that IIAC offers a one-time payment of €100 million and initial investments of €132 million, with a 35% variable annual concession fee. CAAP offers a slightly higher one-time payment of €101 million, initial investments of €158 million, and a 17% variable annual fee.
A key development occurred recently when the committee, following legal advice and consultations with IFC, acknowledged that previous technical scoring—which had excluded IIAC due to marginal differences and zero scores—was invalid. The committee has now re-evaluated technical bids, confirming that both companies meet the minimum criteria to proceed to financial evaluation.
The committee is currently awaiting IFC’s final assessment of the financial bids before submitting a recommendation to the Ministry of Transport, which will forward it to the government for approval.
Last week, internal government disagreements threatened to derail the process, but a compromise was reached to extend the evaluation period by 30 days to ensure a thorough and fair review.
