Globalization knows nothing local, and only those who know something and have the courage to market that knowledge on the international market are global, said Veselin Vukotić, rector of the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), today at the Miločer Development Forum.
As announced by Promocon, the forum that this year, due to the COVID virus pandemic, was organized at UDG, brought together exhibitors from more than ten countries who participated in the work of the forum, via the zoom application.
"The theme of this year's forum, organized by the Society of Economists of Montenegro, UDG and the Baltic Association for Management Development, was the demystification of digitization," the announcement states.
Vukotić said that their goal was to dispel the fear of digitalization, because, as he stated, digitalization is already something that is practiced not only in developed but also in developing countries.
"The basic material for this gathering was the research done by UDG, on the topic of digitization of small and medium-sized enterprises and digital payment," said Vukotić.
He emphasized that the research was done in cooperation with an international team of researchers, and that all the evaluators confirmed that it is a comprehensive, in-depth research, which represents a good basis for conducting politics in Montenegro in that area.
"I would like to point out that the research included between 400 and 450 Montenegrin companies, and that the majority, some 90 percent, are changing their business policies after this COVID pandemic. And they do not understand digitization as a goal, but as a means of survival," said Vukotić.
The Minister of Science, Sanja Damjanović, said that it was an honor for her to participate in that traditional event that targets development, but through smart economy and entrepreneurship.
She mentioned that the United Nations has adopted and promotes the goals of sustainable development, that the European Commission (EC) has traced the path of green development, and that all of this has one unique name, which is called the transformation of our world.
"Instruments for that transformation are precisely innovation and research, but not only classic research and innovation in the hands of scientists through laboratories, but through all segments, through the 18th goal of sustainable development, which is called the Smart Specialization Strategy," said Damjanović.
She said that Montenegro is the first country that is a candidate for membership in the European Union (EU) that presented this strategy.
Damjanović stated that the vision of the Ministry of Science in the previous four years was clear, and that was an innovative and digital Montenegro, and from that vision, as she said, great results came out, including the highest EC rating in that complicated, specific areas.
"The rate of use of the EU innovation fund Horizon2020 by Montenegro is above the EU average. I really have to praise UDG, because you have shown innovation, success, and my warm gratitude to you, because without you this success would not have been possible on the EU stage", Damjanovic said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Information Systems and Technologies of UDG, Milica Vukotić, stated that since 2007, that University has had a completely digitized process of work and communication with students.
"Ever since 2007, we have had an electronic index and we are still the only educational institution in Montenegro that has fully digitized all services for students", said Vukotić.
She stated that, in a large number of research projects they implement, they pay significant attention to the development of digital technologies.
"And here I would like to point out that we are the best in Montenegro in terms of withdrawing funds from the EU fund Horizon2020, the most prestigious EU fund for research," said Vukotić.
Anil Abak from Gedik Investments pointed to the proactive attitude of state regulatory authorities in the financial segment, when it comes to foreign investors.
"It is not easy to explain in one word, but the behavior of the institutions towards the representatives of foreign capital in Montenegro is benevolent. Direct approach helps us to better understand the regulations and opportunities in this market", said Abak.
He stated that they have parts of the company operating in Turkey and Great Britain.
"But here I saw the highest level of assistance and motivating messages from the market regulators who provide us with direct support," Abak pointed out.
The President of the Commission for the Capital Market, Zoran Đikanović, said that it was the first project in Montenegro that considered the problem of digital money and payments in a rounded and comprehensive way, and that from two aspects.
According to him, one is to speed up the circulation of money and improve liquidity, which would be the digitization of existing money and is the responsibility of the Central Bank.
Đikanović stated that another aspect is the possibility of issuing internal money for use within Montenegro, that it would be issued by the Ministry of Finance and would have a basis in state capital, assets in companies.
"What is pleasing is that the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, the institutions that lead policy in this area, are ready to accept this type of novelty, and I think that the digitization of payments and digital money or the digital euro would be an excellent basis for all others who have the desire to they innovate and develop new and other businesses that already exist in the world," Đikanović concluded.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG), Radoje Žugić, said that the CBCG, as the supreme monetary institution, monitors developments in that technological area, especially when it comes to digital money.
As he stated, that institution will be fully committed to what the European Central Bank is preparing, and will follow their every intention.
"They (the European Central Bank) are currently actively conducting public discussions, testing and education because they have a serious intention to introduce the digital euro, which would be based on firm and good regulation," said Žugić.
According to him, it would not be a substitute for ready money, for other currencies, but would be complementary to the existing ones.
"We are following that element, which will enable money without risk, with collateral. Money that is not bitcoin, but money that enables greater technological progress, a greater degree of integration and, overall, greater prosperity in the EU," concluded Žugić.
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