The white list showed: Do not do business with state-owned enterprises

The white list of companies published two days ago by the Tax Administration shows that state-owned companies are not people to do business with.

Of the 251 companies on the White List, a small number are state-owned. Such a thing, as assessed by experts in the economic situation, creates an image of an unfavorable business environment, but also sends the wrong message to private individuals.

"It is a very bad message to the private sector, we see that small and medium-sized companies are regular taxpayers and they dominate the white list, while we can say that the Black list is reserved for state-owned companies. We are sending a message to the private sector that you now pay taxes when the state and public companies do not, of course they will now imagine how we can avoid paying taxes, why should we give to the state", said Biljana Matijašević, editor of the economic newsroom of ND "Vijesti".

"In this way, we cannot say that we have a healthy business environment, because if those who have money are not an example of good business, how can something like that be expected from private companies, and how can such a list be authoritative if we selectively represent certain economic subjects", said Ana Nives Radović, economic analyst.

The reason for this approach, as Radović says, is either politicization or the promotion of certain companies.

"We really have a situation that continues to promote monopoly and oligarchs and simply does not allow small businessmen to be listed well on these lists because they are not of interest and are not strong enough, and on the other hand, we have an inadequately composed list because a large number of companies have been removed from the list Radović said.

Matijašević notes that small and medium-sized companies are dominantly represented on the White List, and the state, he adds, puts them in an unequal position compared to state-owned companies.

"It continues to help companies that owe taxes, do bad business, give state aid, various benefits and the like, which means that the state is not working to improve the business environment, but additionally burdens the private sector with new levies and higher taxes," said Matijašević.

Our interlocutors point out that a special problem is represented by municipalities and local companies that have a problem with large debts. However, as Radović adds, the example of Budva shows that progress in business at the local level is possible.

"We see that simply everything that existed in the past as a series of problems is now simply being eliminated thanks to good management. And that is something that should also be talked about when talking about tax discipline and should be encouraged," said Radović.

According to unofficial data, the tax debt in Montenegro has already exceeded 700 million euros, and the state, according to our interlocutors, still does not have an adequate response. As confirmation, they add that the tax police sector has not yet been formed, although the chief was elected almost a year and a half ago. Such a body, as they say, would significantly contribute to reducing tax debt and increasing fiscal discipline.