The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group and the key advisory partner in Montenegro’s airport concession process, has raised serious concerns about the transparency of the ongoing tender. According to information obtained by Vijesti, IFC warned the tender committee that it may withdraw its support unless detailed technical justifications for the rejection of one bid are provided.
IFC Challenges Rejection of South Korean Bid
The IFC believes that one of the bids currently facing rejection was fully compliant with the tender’s technical requirements. Specifically, the offer submitted by South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation is reportedly being disqualified for not reaching the required 80-point minimum, while Corporation America Airports S.A. from Luxembourg scored 85 points. Sources within the Montenegrin government suggest that the IFC’s evaluation of the two bids differs significantly from the tender commission’s assessment.
IFC Sends Urgent Letter to Montenegro’s Leadership
In a formal letter addressed to key government officials—including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Nik Đeljošaj, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, several other deputy prime ministers, and the ministers of finance and European affairs—the IFC expressed its deep concern over the commission’s handling of the evaluation process.
The advisory body pointed out that the tender commission had specifically requested IFC to conduct a comprehensive technical review of both bids. Supported by a top-tier international technical consultant, IFC concluded that both proposals met the necessary criteria outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation.
Lack of Transparency Threatens IFC’s Participation
Following the two-day commission meeting on June 5th and 6th, the IFC asked for a clear explanation of the technical reasons behind the intended rejection. However, as of today, the tender committee has not provided the requested justification.
This lack of transparency has left the IFC unable to verify whether the committee’s decision aligns with the official evaluation criteria. IFC emphasized that this situation undermines both the integrity of the tender process and the trust required for its role as a government advisor.
IFC Sets Clear Ultimatum
In its communication, the IFC reiterated that unless concrete technical reasoning is shared, the organization will be forced to withdraw from the advisory role in the Montenegro airport concession project.
“Without solid evidence that the commission’s evaluation adheres to the defined RFP criteria, IFC cannot validate the transparency and fairness of this process,” the organization stated. It further stressed that transparency is a core value that must be upheld to protect the reputations of both the IFC and the Government of Montenegro.
The IFC urged the tender commission once again to provide a detailed technical assessment and warned that failure to do so would jeopardize the entire project’s credibility.
