Cortex Village: Addressing Housing Needs of 115 Employees through the Synergy of ICT Cortex Cluster Members and Partners
Today, a press conference was held at the CUE Hotel to introduce a housing project for employees in the IT industry. The project was attended by partners and future residents of this housing complex.
The housing project was initiated by the private sector, specifically 19 IT companies, which will provide full support to their 115 employees and their families in resolving one of life’s important issues. In this way, ICT Cortex, its cluster members, and project partners contribute to creating an environment that reduces the departure of IT professionals from Montenegro and offers them a more beautiful and secure future in their own country, stated ICT Cortex.
“Thanks to the support of project partners NLB Bank and EUROZOX, conditions have been created for ICT employees to solve their housing issues with significant savings and numerous other benefits. The main goal of this project is to care for employees and create a more beautiful and quality environment in Montenegro, where young people will choose to stay,” said Natalija Hidić, a representative of ICT Cortex.
Due to the fact that experts from the ICT sector often leave the country in search of new knowledge and higher income opportunities, ICT Cortex decided to offer a housing solution to demonstrate their appreciation for their talent and strengthen future collaboration.
“We have offered a housing solution where cluster member companies have agreed to take on the responsibility for paying all interest during the loan period, which will last from 20 to 25 years for interested employees. They will also provide promissory notes to banks and Eurozox, and we will do everything we can to help our colleagues secure housing for themselves and their families, thus establishing a more permanent connection to our companies and Montenegro,” emphasized Vladan Tabaš, President of the Board of Directors of the ICT Cortex Cluster.
This noble idea was initiated over a year ago, and at that time, it was unclear what value this project would bring. However, over time, it has proven to bring numerous benefits due to the support of project partners.
“When it comes to concrete financial benefits, there are three key factors. First, the extremely competitive price for the quality offered by the construction company Eurozox. Second, the extremely favorable terms for housing loans offered by NLB Bank. Third, the subsidy of interest rates offered by some companies to their employees,” explained Aleksandar Drekalović, Project Manager at ICT Cortex.
Thanks to these three solid pillars, the opportunity to create the ambitious Cortex Village project was established, which does not follow the conventional approach to solving housing problems for employees.
“The project aims to create new values, humanity, unity, synergy, interaction, socialization, and education, and provide employees, and future residents, with a completely new and healthier lifestyle. When it comes to choosing a location, what satisfied all our criteria is the area within the detailed urban plan of Titex. The location is extremely longitudinal in the north-south direction, allowing for a much better positioning of the buildings. It was very important for us to concentrate construction and provide as many open spaces as possible for various recreational, sports, and other areas,” explained Miloš Laković, Project Manager of Cortex Village.
Laković reminded that the complex will consist of five residential buildings with 115 housing units and an above-ground area of 12,500 square meters. Cortex Village will include green spaces, underground garages, parking, a fitness center, a park, a children’s playground, a community center, and spaces for children. The project’s goal is to bring numerous intangible values and integrate the values of the village into the urban environment.
Investors, Eurozox construction company, which demonstrated high construction standards as a socially responsible company through this project, recognized this idea from the very beginning.
“We believe that the Cortex Village project will significantly transform the immediate surroundings, and thus the perception of living throughout Podgorica and beyond,” said Zoran Drobnjak, CEO of EUROZOX.
The project also received strong support from NLB Bank, which offered exceptionally favorable housing loans.
“We have devised the financing structure for future housing solutions in the best possible way and can guarantee not only now but for the next 25 years. In addition to the price, we have used our experience and knowledge as a leader in the housing finance market in Montenegro to structure the financing in the best possible way. This project will set new standards for housing construction sustainability and stimulate Montenegro’s overall innovation capacity. It is a visionary project, not only for Montenegro, and NLB Bank is proud to be a part of it, showing our strong social responsibility. It is an honor for us to be part of this team,” said Martin Leberle, President of the NLB Bank Board.
The entire project also benefited from the architectural design of the A12 architectural firm, which offered a conceptual solution that impressed everyone involved.
“We are very proud of this project, which will soon see the light of day and begin to be implemented to the satisfaction of the entire team. The complex will consist of five residential buildings and a sixth one will be the Community Center in the heart of the complex. We ensured that there were plenty of open spaces for residents in the complex. We have created a comprehensive solution around the complex, and we can say that we have done a good deed,” emphasized Slobodan Petrović, CEO of A12.
Coinis has provided significant support to the Cortex Village project from the very beginning. Dejan Petković, CEO of Coinis, noted that the beginning was challenging, but he expressed satisfaction that they are now in a project phase where its successful destiny is already assured.
“I believe this project is just the beginning. In less than two years since Cortex was founded, a community and synergy have already been formed among all the companies. I am so happy and motivated because Montenegro is a leader in the region and even beyond. Realizing such a project is truly incredible,” said Petković.
Today, at 5:30 PM, ICT Cortex is organizing its Annual General Meeting, a working meeting of all cluster members, followed by the “Cortex and Friends” event, which is expected to be attended by numerous guests from the IT world, as well as the private and public sectors in Montenegro.
“This will be an opportunity to thank all the partners and friends of the cluster for their contribution to the realization of our common vision. At the event, we will present the results of our work in 2022 and announce plans for 2023,” explained Tanja Dukić, Marketing Director at the ICT Cortex Cluster.”
