The Government of Montenegro is open to any fair business even in this year of crisis, which will be full of challenges and we need to find a common denominator to respond to the crisis.
This was said by the Vice President of the Government of Montenegro Dritan Abazović at a meeting with businessmen in Villa Gorica in Podgorica.
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"Businessmen will no longer divide into ours and theirs. The common goal is the economic progress of Montenegro. The government cannot achieve results without the economy, and neither can businesses without us. We are open to all benevolent initiatives," said Abazović.
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Capital Investments Mladen Bojanić, Ministers of Economic Development Jakov Milatović, Ministers of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Aleksandar Stijović and Ministers of Spatial Planning and Urbanism Ratko Mitrović.
Bojanić: No one will be able to ask for money from the Government without knowing how to run their own business
Bojanic said that the Government is making sure that no one has monopolies, or backdoor entry into the Government.
"Everyone will be equal and no one will be able to ask for money from the Government without knowing how to run their own business," said Bojanic.
Milatović: No one can imagine Krivokapić or any minister taking a racket and engaging in corruption
Milatović said that the Government has adopted the rule of law, which is very important for business.
"I am sure that none of you can imagine Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić or any minister taking a racket and engaging in corruption. This is important for fair business," said Milatović.
He said that the Government expects the economy to regularly settle its obligations towards the state and socially responsible business.
Đurović: In Mojkovac, a loop of two million was built that does not need anything
The owner of the company "Cerovo", Goran Đurović, said that investments should be determined wisely.
"In Mojkovac, a two-million loop was built that doesn't need anything, but it needs everything else. Or the 10-million-euro Monstat building," said Đurović.
He said that the economy expects a reduction in taxes and contributions to salaries, the possibility for everyone from the white list to reinvest profit tax, a more flexible labor law and employment of the best in public administration.
Čelebić: There is a lack of quality personnel, the problem is the banks and the IRF
The owner of the company "Čelebić", Tomislav Čelebić, said that the problem is the lack of quality personnel, and that efficient e-administration is important.
"The problem is the banks and the Investment and Development Fund (IRF). I understand the reservations, but it all came down to reprogramming the loans. The IRF has been a support through project financing for the last few years, without which progress cannot be achieved," Čelebić said.
Bokan complained that the meeting was limited to an hour: Since the election, the perception of the economy has not been good
The owner of the retail chain "Voli", Dragan Bokan, said that support for agricultural production is important, and he evaluated the messages sent by the ministers as positive.
He complained that the meeting was limited to an hour because there were many open topics that required several multi-hour meetings.
"I understand these changes, but I would say that since the election, the perception of the economy is not good. Now you have the opportunity to hold everyone accountable for not doing well," Bokan said.
Abazović replied to Bokan that the goal of the meeting was to change the attitude towards the economy and to overcome the gap, if any, and to bring the Government and the economy closer together.
He explained that the meeting was limited due to epidemiological measures.
Rakčević: Raise the minimum price of work and form a guarantee fund
The owner of "Šajo Group", Žarko Rakčević, said that the law should be equal for everyone, that the minimum price of work should be raised and a guarantee fund should be formed.
"A law on the origin of property is needed," said Rakčević.
Abazovic replied that the bill is ready and will be presented soon.
Goranović proposed sectoral meetings: We can get into a difficult situation
The owner of the "Goranović" meat industry, Đorđe Goranović, proposed that in the coming period the meetings should be sectoral with relevant ministers.
"We have suffered great consequences of the crisis. It is important for the agroindustry sector to be aware that in this crisis intervention measures by the state are important in order for the companies to survive," said Goranović.
He said that our market is small and that small disturbances have a bad effect on the agro-industry.
He pointed out that the tax rates are extremely high.
"We can get into a difficult situation. That's why a quick reaction of the state is important in order to save business entities," Goranović said.
He said that a lower value-added tax (VAT) on meat products, payment of VAT upon product realization, continuing the credit reprogramming, introducing lending for development and that the IRF provide competitive money to rehabilitate the consequences of the crisis are needed.
Stijović: A refined set of measures for agricultural producers
Sitijović said that it is important to find measures for better marketing of domestic products.
He said that a whole set of measures has been prepared for agricultural producers.
"My door is open to everyone, to find a way for everyone to be satisfied," said Stijović.
Bojanić: There are no concessions for new MHPs, some before us were playing with the acquisition of ships
Bojanić said that there are no concessions for new small hydropower plants (MHP).
"We have a problem with bad company management. Montenegro's airports are losing 25 million per year due to covid and bad management. Only from 2015 to 2017 was there no audit report. So much for the seriousness of the management. I agree with Mr. Goranović that the state needs help , but first let's pay what we have to from the budget for 60 million for shipping companies and then let's see what will be left. Some before us were playing with the acquisition of ships," Bojanić pointed out.
Milatović: The public debt is high also because of the pouring from the budget into state companies
Milatovc said that interest rates are high because of the state of public finances.
"The public debt is high also due to the pouring from the budget into state companies. The IRF has cut off nine million in aid in tourism, with several large companies and what is left for smaller ones," said Milatović.
On Thursday, he announced a new package of measures to help enforcement, but that there will be no measures for the IRF, but that he will propose them later within a month.
Pižurica: Looking ahead to 2028.
The executive director of the company "Neregelia", Ljilja Pižurica, said that we should look forward to the year 2028, and not some years behind.
Radulović: I didn't vote for you, but you will have a partner in me; Milatović: Don't turn tourism into nuclear physics
The owner of the company "Montengro stars hotel group", Žarko Radulović, said that he agrees that there is no ours and theirs, because we are all in the same problem due to the crisis.
"I didn't vote for you, but you will have a partner in me," said Radulović.
He said that the hotel "Splendid" gave the state 113 million euros for 15 years and 385 million euros to suppliers.
"And then what is the small loan from the IRF of two million that we received", pointed out Radulović.
He also said that the Tax Administration has stopped working for the last 10 days and that it should be speeded up.
"I understand that it is not easy for you," said Radulović.
He proposed that the Government enable the payment of net salaries from January to July, and that the contributions be paid later in installments.
Milatović replied to Radulović that the tourism sector should not be made into "nuclear physics".
"The IRF was created to help small businesses, and if anyone can get a bank loan, it's big businesses," said Milatović.
Bulatović: The working week must return
The owner of the Donator company, Zoran Bulatović, said that the working week must return and that this tourist season cannot be entered without it.
"That would be less income for all of us. The law on the non-working week is not in support of Montenegro's exports and tourism, on which we all depend," said Bulatović.
Stijović replied that his personal opinion is that Sunday should be a working week, because the sale of domestic products is important at this time and every new job.
"A non-working Sunday is a luxury that is too expensive, but the system is not yet ready for that. We have the union's position and workers' rights," said Stijović.
Šćepanović: The non-working Sunday is a populist measure, if the state defaulted on debt, the economy would have a problem
The owner of "Expo Group" Ljubomir Šćepanović said that consistency in the implementation of electronic fiscalization and the introduction of fiscal discipline in dumping are important.
"The non-working Sunday is a populist measure. Our employees have days off, and the state has damaged us with this measure. We only lost 6,5 million because of it, so calculate how much VAT that is," Šćepanović said.
He said that the debt of 750 million euros was an excellent move by the Government.
"That was a happy day because we secured money for two years. If the state had failed with that, we would have had problems and we would not be here today," emphasized Šćepanović.
Stijović: The government suggested forcing domestic products
Stijović said that in order to stimulate domestic production, the government suggested to the state administration that they force domestic products in public procurement.
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