It is expected that by the first half of 2025, the main contractor for the second section of the highway from Mateševo to Andrijevica will be selected, and the contract will be signed, after which construction work on that section will begin.
In an interview for the day, Minister of Transport Maja Vukićević said that while they cannot specify the exact start date for the work, they expect it to begin in mid-2025.
“From the Ministry of Transport’s side, all prerequisites have been created for the work to start, but there are also numerous procedures that the ministry cannot influence. The tender itself falls under the responsibility of Monteput,” said Vukićević.
She also stated that the final cost of the Mateševo – Andrijevica section, including work, supervision, project documentation revisions, expropriation, and other minor costs associated with infrastructure projects, will be known after the completion of the project and approval of the final situation.
Funding will be secured partly through an EBRD loan (€200 million), EU grants (currently €100 million secured, with more expected), and the remaining portion from the state budget.
When asked if the main contractor for the work would be exempt from excise taxes, contributions, and taxes, as was the case with the agreement for the priority highway section, Vukićević replied:
“The contractor for the Smokovac–Mateševo section was exempt from value-added tax, personal income tax, social security contributions, and customs duties based on the Highway Law for Bar–Boljare and other relevant national and international regulations. The decision to exempt the contractor for the next section from taxes and other contributions will be made in accordance with applicable national laws and ratified international agreements.”
