Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – Completing the concession process for Montenegro’s airports is crucial for their modernization and for attracting foreign investment, said International Finance Corporation (IFC) expert Nico Saporiti, adding that the process was carried out in line with international standards.

Saporiti, who served as an adviser to the Montenegrin Government during the preparation and implementation of the tender for the Podgorica and Tivat airport concession, said that finalizing the process is important because it will bring closure to a long and complex effort aimed at modernizing the two airports.

“The project has been in preparation for years, and the goal is to address capacity constraints, improve service quality, and meet long-term investment needs that are difficult to cover through public funding alone,” Saporiti said in an interview with the Mina-business agency.

He added that this is likely the largest infrastructure investment in the country through a public-private partnership model.

“Precisely because of its visibility, Montenegro is positioning itself as an investor-friendly destination, and this may even encourage further foreign investment. It has been a long journey, and it’s important to bring it to a successful conclusion,” Saporiti said.

Asked whether the process was conducted in line with international standards, Saporiti said he believes it was.

“Clearly, it has been a lengthy process, and we would have preferred it to be shorter. But there was COVID, changes of government and it was not possible to control timelines. As for the process itself, I genuinely believe it was carried out in accordance with international best practices,” he said.

The Government has adopted a proposal to award a 30-year concession for the Podgorica and Tivat airports to top-ranked bidder Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC). 

The final decision will be made by Parliament.