Illustration, Photo: Shutterstock
In the coordinated action to combat the illegal renting of yachts, known as the “Black Charter”, a total of 30 inspections were carried out, 12 irregularities were found and a total of almost 23 thousand euro fines were issued, the Government announced.
The action was started on June 10 at the initiative of the president of the Coordinating Body for Harmonization and Monitoring of Inspection Supervision, Milutin Butorović.
“The tourism inspection, the tax inspection and the navigation safety inspection participated in the joint action, with the aim of suppressing the gray economy and establishing equal business conditions for all entities that operate in accordance with the law,” the announcement states.
During the duration of the action, a total of 30 inspections were carried out. 13 irregularities were found, 12 misdemeanor orders were issued, while in two cases instructions were issued to eliminate the observed deficiencies. The total amount of imposed fines amounted to almost 23 thousand euros.
“It is particularly important to point out that the specified amount of monetary sanctions is the result of the discovery of illegal business, that is, activities that took place in the gray zone and beyond the obligations prescribed by law. This once again confirms the determination of the competent authorities to oppose illegal work and protect the interests of all business entities that operate legally,” the statement said.
During the implementation of controls and the collection of operational information, acting inspectors came to the knowledge that indicates the existence of a large number of luxury yachts that are illegally rented out in the water area of the Bay of Kotor.
“According to the collected information, reservations for individual vessels are made through a contact phone registered in London, which additionally indicates the need to intensify inter-institutional cooperation and further monitoring of possible forms of cross-border and illegal business in this area,” said the Government.
According to available data from the market, prices for daily rental of luxury yachts range from approximately three thousand to even 22 thousand euros per day, depending on the type and category of the vessel.
“Given the amount of revenue generated, the illegal performance of this activity causes multiple damage to the state, which, based on uncalculated and unpaid tax obligations, remains deprived of significant budget revenues. At the same time, unfair competition further endangers economic entities that operate in accordance with the law and properly settle their fiscal obligations,” the Government explained.
The “Black Charter” action will be continued in the coming period, with a special focus on suppressing the gray economy in the area of renting vessels, improving fiscal discipline and strengthening navigational safety. Competent authorities will continue with increased controls and undertake all legally prescribed measures against entities that perform activities contrary to current regulations.
“At the same time, we are calling on all subjects of supervision who are engaged in the activity of renting vessels and providing services at sea to harmonize their business with the applicable regulations and register the activities they perform,” the announcement states.
The goal of the competent institutions, as they concluded, is not repression, but the establishment of a legal business environment in which all business entities will have equal working conditions and the opportunity to perform their activities unhindered, safely and in accordance with the law.
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