Sustainability is no longer a recommendation - it is an obligation, not only to the planet but also to people, to time, to trust, to words and to one's own influence, said the director of the TBM initiative, Ljiljana Burzan-Nikolić, welcoming guests at the ceremony where the Top Business Montenegro Awards 2025 were presented.
She pointed out that today "sustainable" means knowing how to say no to shortcuts - daring to slow down in order to see and see further - recognizing that the role of business is greater than profit and that the strength of business is measured by both growth and the responsibility that growth brings.
"We are proud that, along with the numbers, we are also recording changes in business culture - more transparency, more responsibility. More leadership that does not look for excuses - but provides answers. More companies that know that growth is not a matter of speed - but of direction. Our task is to recognize those who have achieved the best results. And to point out those whose success is not based only on numbers, but also on the values that make them true. Because time does not ask how fast we are going. It asks - where are we going? And perhaps most of all it asks: Who will be with us when we get there," said Burzan-Nikolić.
The President of the Board of Directors of Crnogorska komercijalna banka, Tamaš Kamaraši, congratulated the awarded companies, stating that he was particularly proud that most of them are clients of CKB.
"As someone once said - enough awards should be given so that those who truly deserve them receive them. That is precisely why we appreciate this event - because we are here among the people and companies that shape and develop the economy of Montenegro. Among those who truly deserve recognition," he said.
Kamaraši reminded us of the slogan of the Montenegrin Commercial Bank and what they mean when they say it. "We are here - because we believe in this country. In what Montenegro is. And in what it can become. We are the largest financier in the country - We are here for citizens, for companies, and for the state. And we are not just a creditor. We invest in sports, art, health, education, children. We invest in things that are valuable and that are the future of Montenegro," he said.
The awards to the most successful Montenegrin companies were presented by Nikola Perišić, member of the CKB Board of Directors in charge of the Corporate Banking Sector, Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Sava Laketić, Director of the Tax Administration, and Ratko Nikolić, founder of BI Consulting, a business information provider and analytical partner of the TBM initiative.
The award for the largest employer went to the company IDEA – CG Podgorica, while the award for the highest net profit went to the Montenegrin Transmission System AD Podgorica.
In the Trade sector, the first prize went to the company Voli Trade Podgorica, in the Hotel sector – Portonovi Hospitality Management Company Herceg Novi, Restaurants and cafes – Panevivo Podgorica, Real estate management – Azmont Investments Herceg Novi, Real estate agencies – CMM Budva, Auditing and accounting – Ernst & Young Montenegro Podgorica, Construction – Bemax Podgorica, Food and beverages – Meso-Promet Bijelo Polje, Other production and processing – Rudnik Uglja Pljevlja, Telecommunications – MTEL Podgorica, IT equipment trade – Comtrade Distribution Podgorica, IT services – EPAM Systems Montenegro Podgorica, Oil and derivatives – Jugopetrol Podgorica, Pharmacy – Glosarij Podgorica, Medical services – PZU Polyclinic “Moj Lab” Podgorica.
The award for achieved business income in the large enterprise category was won by Elektroprivreda Crne Gore. Coca-Cola HBC – Montenegro from Podgorica was awarded in the medium-sized enterprise category, Pearl Executive Aviation from Podgorica in the small enterprise category, and BTA DOO from Budva in the micro enterprise category.
The surprise guest at the ceremony was a marketing communications consultant. Miodrag Turner, who in his inspiring speech reminded us that modern business must not be devoid of the human dimension, and that the most lasting success comes from what we carry within ourselves – from authentic values, consistency, and the courage to do business with our hearts, not just with numbers.
( BI Consulting )
