More interaction and synergy among businessmen, but also with the scientific community, through networking with partners from the Adriatic-Ionian region, with stronger support from institutions, will contribute, as assessed, to improving competitiveness and strengthening the economic sector of Montenegro.
The Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) also worked on this for the past three years, implementing numerous activities through the project Smart Specialization Strategy in the Blue Growth Sector for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (BLUEAIR).
Project coordinator at PKCG, Ana Filipović, presenting the results of the BLUEAIR project, which is co-financed by the EU within the ADRION program, said that through these projects, they open the door to new resources, technologies and knowledge, which will strengthen our economy and enable them to position themselves on regional and global level.
"One of the important results of the project is the formation of the BLUEAIR innovation community because it enables connection, exchange of ideas and cooperation with interested parties from different sectors from the Adriatic-Ionian region," said Filipović.
She said that the intention is to improve the cooperation of businessmen in the field of innovation, strengthen their interaction, but also strengthen their relations with institutions, so that business is more profitable, and blue growth is based on the principles of the green economy.
Filipović added that more details and an application form for joining the BLUEAIR innovation community, open to individuals and organizations from Montenegro, can be found HERE.
At the PKCG meeting, a White Paper was presented, which summarizes the challenges and opportunities for further development. In addition to recommendations on improving cooperation and strengthening institutional capacities, as well as macro-regional integration, the document provides guidelines related to the possibilities of financing a sustainable blue economy. Access to financing is seen as the main barrier to the development of innovation in the economy.
Data from the research conducted through the BLUEAIR project are important for the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, especially in light of the fact that a new Smart Specialization Strategy will be developed next year.
Acting Director General for Innovation and Technological Development in the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Marijeta Barjaktarović Lanzardi, said that this is an opportunity for blue growth to be more adequately presented and represented in the Strategy.
"The blue economy is undoubtedly an important strategic direction for the development of Montenegro, and we want to make it competitive through the improvement of innovation," said Barjaktarović Lanzardi.
She also pointed out to the participants the activities of the Innovation Fund, the implementing body for innovative projects, whose budget is continuously increasing in order to continuously support the development of innovations in all phases from the idea to their commercialization.
PKCG is one of 11 partner organizations working on the implementation of the BLUEAIR project, which includes 20 associated partners from the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Bonus video:
