The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a EUR 50 million loan (US$68.9 million equivalent) for the Industrial Waste Management and Cleanup Project
for Montenegro. The project will contribute to protecting Montenegro’s
natural resources and reducing public health risks from exposure to
selected industrial waste disposal sites that have significant
environmental impacts.
With
support from this project, the selected industrial waste disposal sites
will be fully remediated, and future hazardous waste from industries
related to these sites will be disposed of in compliance with
Montenegrin and EU legislation.
"This
project will not only reduce the risk to public health, but will also
protect some of the country’s natural resources unique to Europe –
important assets for Montenegro’s economic development, including the
development of the tourism sector," said Anabela Abreu, World Bank Country Manager for Montenegro.
"Industrial waste management and the management of other categories of
hazardous waste are critical to environmental sustainability in
Montenegro."
Strengthening
the regulatory framework and supporting the development of
infrastructure for the management and proper disposal of ongoing
industrial hazardous waste production are important elements of the
project to support both the industries related to the cleanup sites, as
well as other waste generators adopting environmentally acceptable
solutions for future waste generation.
The
World Bank portfolio of active projects in Montenegro now includes five
operations, totaling approximately US$137 million. Areas of support
include environment, agriculture and rural development, land
administration, higher education, and energy.
