"The goal of the common regional market is to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Western Balkans..."

The goal of the joint regional market is to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Western Balkan region and bring it closer to the single market of the European Union (EU), it was announced at the information day "Western Balkans and Montenegro - implementation of the Action Plan for the Joint Regional Market, benefits and challenges".

The President of the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG), Vlastimir Golubović, said that regional economic integration and cooperation have become one of the key tools for contributing to the economic dimension of the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union, to which the Berlin process strongly contributed.

At the info day organized by PKCG and KIF ZB6, he said that the goal of Montenegro, and he believes that of other member countries, is to achieve the opening of the European market for companies and products from the Western Balkan region even before full membership in the EU.

"Therefore, the Action Plan for the Common Regional Market for the period 2021-2024 represents for us not only an obligation arising from joint documents, but that document is a determination for the full integration of our companies, for the placement of goods and services, for a completely new dimension of including all economic agents from Montenegro to the European economic environment", said Golubović.

He emphasized that KIF ZB6 strongly contributes to the implementation of the action plan for the Common Regional Market, which clearly indicates the degree of commitment of the chambers of commerce of each of our countries individually.

"Precisely this commitment and association gave us the opportunity to think about a joint offer and promotion of investment opportunities, to develop industrial and innovation areas, to prepare for the entry of the supplier chain and other development programs within the European area", adds Golubović.

The general secretary of KIF ZB6, Tatjana Šterjova Suškovska, explained that the common regional market presupposes a coordinated approach of governments to the creation of a single economic space based on EU rules and standards, with the free movement of goods, services, capital and people.

"The goal of the joint regional market is the strengthened competitiveness of Western Balkan companies on the European and global market, an integrated market of 18 million people, better integration into European value chains, and the potential for additional GDP growth of 6,7 percent," said Šterjova Duškovska. .

She believes that the region should be put in the focus of foreign investors who want to reduce the distance from the EU market and to diversify their suppliers.

Šterjova Duškovska said that this process brings numerous benefits for all companies, among which are the recognition of export documents, professional qualifications and licenses throughout the region.

She cited the reduction of waiting times at crossings by up to 70 percent, 24-hour available services, and green lines and corridors within the ZB and towards the EU as benefits.

The coordinator of the KIF ZB6 project, Marija Ašković Matić, said that in the coming period the focus will be on the presentation of Protocol 6 and the impact it will have on companies engaged in the provision of various types of services, then on direct support to companies in order to improve regional cooperation.

According to her, two platforms will be launched by the end of June, namely Market Access and Market Intelligence databases.

"They will be free for all companies from the region and contain relevant information on how to export products to other markets and establish cooperation with companies from the region," explained Ašković Matić, emphasizing that the mentioned platforms will be fully operational by the end of the year.

The representative of the CEFTA Secretariat, Zoran Ilić, at the panel discussion "Benefits that the implementation of the Action Plan brings to the economy of Montenegro and its challenges in implementation", assessed that the extensive process of establishing a common regional market has started well.

He said that the establishment of green corridors contributed to the stability of supply.

According to Ilic, it is necessary to harmonize the working hours of the border crossings, and to expand the priority system at the borders from the main crossings to all operational ones.

"We need to transfer this facilitation system to crossings with the EU and in that way ensure the completely unhindered movement of goods," Ilić said.

Đuro Kažić from the Investment Development Fund (IDF) pointed out that the directions of the IRF significantly support the priorities of the common regional market.

He said that in the coming period he sees the possibility of creating new support programs that would contribute to the creation of a better offer in the domain of goods and services.

"Adequate integration and use of the benefits of the regional market presupposes a high degree of product standardization and modernization of the value chain. It also implies the use of modern technologies and digitization of processes. Expectations are also high in the field of implementing activities that mitigate the effects of climate change," Kažić said.

In the future, he added, the IRF will especially focus on improving the competitiveness of the economy based on the development of priority sectors - tourism and agriculture, standardization and modernization of business.

Director of the Directorate for Trade Cooperation and Economic Relations with Foreign Countries in the Ministry of Economic Development, Jelena Janković, said that there is significant potential for encouraging regional economic integration.

"The removal of barriers to regional investment offers provides an opportunity for economies of scale, geographically diversified operations and more efficient allocation of resources within the regional market, thereby encouraging the integration of companies into international value chains," she stated.

Montenegro, adds Janković, is in the process of reforming the network of bilateral investment agreements (BIT) and defining a new model that will establish a balance between the protection of investors' rights and state interests and full compliance with EU standards.

"One of the main strategic priorities will be the negotiation of the Investment Protection Agreement between Montenegro and the EU, as well as the finalization of activities to create a new BIT model," said Janković.

Coordinator for cooperation with international chamber associations PKCG Balša Ćulafić emphasized the important role of the Business Council of KIF ZB6, which consists of owners or managers of 16 leading companies operating in the region.

As he explained, the Business Council will monitor and analyze progress in the implementation of the Action Plan, make concrete proposals for measures to remove barriers, reduce costs and facilitate business conditions within the region and towards the EU.

The executive director of Pivara Trebjesa, Sanja Ćalasan, pointed out that the larger market provides opportunities for business growth and development.

"We believe that the common regional market will achieve its goal - increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region and bring it closer to the single EU market," said Ćalasan.

She believes that companies through chambers should influence further improvement in the field of cross-border business, primarily through advocating for the recognition of certificates and the removal of other non-customs barriers.