More delays for the tender to develop the military complex of Kupari.
After the opening date for the Kupari tender had been delayed several times, it seems that the same fate will happen to the deadline for closing of the tender, reports Vecernji List on August 23, 2015. The tender was opened in late May, and August 25 was to be the last day for receiving applications of those interested in an investment worth at least one hundred million euros in a former military holiday complex Kupari. However, a few days before the closing of the tender, the tourism minister Darko Lorencin said there is a possibility of it being extended, and that was confirmed yesterday by the Office for State Property Management, which leads the entire tender procedure.
They have rejected speculation that the tender is being extended due to the low turnout of potential investors. "Interest in Kupari has been expressed by several potential investors, and two of them have requested the prolongation of tender", said Mladen Pejnović, the head of the Office for State Property Management.
That would not be uncommon. There have been many cases in which someone would ask for extension of a tender, particularly when it comes to larger and more demanding investments like this. The two investors have explained their request saying they needed more time to finalize agreements with hotels, because they are planning to bring to Kupari some of the well-known hotel chains. Also, they need additional time to deal with the banks, since one of the conditions of the tender is for investors to have a bank guarantee.
The names of all potential investors are not yet available, but it is known there are both domestic and foreign investors.
Several months ago, when the tender was being launched, tourism minister Darko Lorencin was very optimistic. "Kupari is an example of how we can use former military property for tourism and thus strengthen the competitiveness ofour tourist destinations. We are looking for quality investors who will invest in accommodation capacities, which is envisaged bythe Tourism Development Strategy. I believe that the response to the tender will be great and that we will find reputable investors which will create a high-quality tourist destination."
