Despite promises from global investor Sheikh Mohamed Alabbar, founder and president of Eagle Hills, to re-rent every beach in Ulcinj won through the Morsko dobro tender at the same price to previous tenants, the local community and beach renters are expressing doubts about the transparency of the process. They claim that state resources are being sold under unclear circumstances, with the tender being modified to favor powerful and connected individuals.
Alabbar has promised that his investments will bring modernization and infrastructure improvements, enhancing the tourism experience and supporting local businesses and employment.
However, representatives of various local associations, including beach renters, restaurant owners on Ada Bojana, and local residents, have announced protests on March 22 and a press conference at Hotel Plaza to express concerns over the potential foreign takeover of Ulcinj’s coast and beaches. They argue that the issue goes beyond a single tender and is about the right of the local community to decide their future. They claim that the tender was modified to favor specific individuals, lowering security guarantees and enabling foreign entities to take control, leaving domestic business owners sidelined.
Alabbar’s ambitious plans for Ulcinj include the construction of a luxury tourism hub, with a proposed airport in Shtoje, along with upscale resorts, marinas, and luxury villas stretching along the coastline. He is also offering a significant donation for the construction of a new hospital in Ulcinj, addressing the lack of modern healthcare facilities.
The president of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, emphasized the need for complete transparency regarding the beach lease tender. He expressed concerns about how the process was conducted, including the registration of companies after the initial tender deadline had passed.
Local officials, including Ulcinj’s mayor Genci Nimanbegu, argue that the tender process was flawed and that the best solution would be to extend existing leases with annex agreements while preparing transparent tenders for the future.
Alabbar’s plans for Ulcinj are presented as transformative, but the lack of visible, concrete proposals has raised skepticism among local leaders about the true intentions behind the investments. The situation remains tense, with both local authorities and citizens calling for more clarity and transparency in the decision-making process.
