United States Awards Grant to Montenegro for Developing Tourism

$460,000 intended to help develop water and sewage infrastructure

The United States is giving Montenegro a grant worth more than $460,000 to create an investment fund for the Adriatic republic's water and sewage infrastructure, considered key to developing a viable tourism industry.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), in a May 17 announcement, said the $463,950 grant will fund technical assistance to the government of Montenegro to design a revolving investment fund for potable water and public sewage facilities.

"The development of the tourism industry is considered the key driver of long-term economic growth in Montenegro," the announcement said. "Yet, without proper investment in water and sewage infrastructure, the tourism industry cannot flourish."

The USTDA advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.

The mountainous republic of Montenegro lies on the Adriatic coast. A referendum on independence from neighboring Serbia is scheduled for May 21. (See related article.)

Source: U.S. Department of State

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