Eight companies from China, Turkey and Azerbaijan have submitted bids for the continuation of the Bar-Boljare highway construction project, including the Chinese firm CRBC, which previously completed the first 40 km of the highway. The tender is being conducted according to the rules of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will partially finance the project.
Transport Minister Maja Vukićević noted that the selection of the winning company will depend on meeting specific criteria, and there is a possibility that CRBC could be awarded the contract again. She clarified that the state-owned company “Monteput” initiated the tender before her appointment in July.
Political support for Chinese companies is evident, with MP Dejan Đurović suggesting that potential Chinese investors for the next segment have proven their reliability. Montenegro had previously signed a contract with CRBC in 2014 for the first segment of the highway, backed by a $944 million loan from the Chinese Exim Bank, which faced criticism for high debt and potential corruption risks.
The first segment of the highway opened in 2022 after several delays and cost overruns. A recent report indicated that China’s influence in Montenegro largely operates through economic channels, often involving corruption among political elites.
Monteput has stated that strict EU criteria will eliminate favoritism and ensure compliance with legal, financial, and environmental standards. The EBRD has set clear criteria, and past experiences with CRBC have been positive.
However, a dispute remains unresolved regarding CRBC’s delays in the Podgorica–Mateševo section, with potential penalties reaching up to €50 million per year. The Arbitration Court in Zurich is expected to make a final ruling on this matter.
The upcoming segment, Mateševo-Andrijevica, will span about 22 km, approximately 14% of the total highway length. The EBRD estimates the construction cost at around €530 million, with €200 million already secured. Completion is anticipated by 2030, although some opposition members express skepticism about the timeline due to potential delays related to land surveys and expropriation.
