A better infrastructural connection between Montenegro and Serbia through the construction of the highway and the reconstruction of the Belgrade-Bar railway will contribute to the improvement of economic cooperation between the two countries, but also to the greater attractiveness and valorization of the potential of the port of Bar in mutual interest.
This was assessed during the meeting of the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro (PKCG), Nina Drakić, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Goran Đurović and businessmen with the Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade in the Government of Serbia, Tomislav Momirović.
As announced by PKCG, the interlocutors emphasized their commitment to creating conditions for improving economic relations, increasing trade and investment growth, as well as removing certain administrative barriers, in order to further enhance economic cooperation.
Drakić stated that Serbia is an important foreign trade partner of Montenegro.
"As representatives of the economy, we would like to further improve the export of Montenegrin products to the Serbian market. In this sense, PKCG implements various promotional activities, and among other things, we participate in a significant number of fairs organized in Serbia, including the largest one in Novi Sad," said Drakić.
She particularly pointed to the challenge of the lack of direct payment transactions between the two countries, which increases the costs of cooperation between companies from Serbia and Montenegro.
Momirović stated that Montenegro is an extremely important strategic economic partner for Serbia.
"Our economies are compatible, tourist traffic is functioning, there is a large exchange of goods and the placement of products, which creates an economic cycle in which everyone profits. The main message of the Government of Serbia's policy is to remove as many barriers as possible so that the economy can operate freely," said Momirović.
He said that they want to stimulate as many investments as possible from Montenegro to Serbia and vice versa.
Momirović announced significant energy projects worth more than one billion euros, the implementation of which would welcome the support of the entire region, as well as Montenegrin companies.
Đurović particularly emphasized the important contribution of PKCG to the economic cooperation of the two countries, especially through the partnership with colleagues from PK Serbia.
"PKCG is an important institution for the Montenegrin economy, with a long-standing tradition, and I think that it is the right place for you to hear proposals, suggestions and criticisms from the business people on behalf of the governments of Serbia and Montenegro regarding some business barriers and something that is stopping the economy at the moment. Đurović said.
As it was announced, during the meeting, Montenegrin businessmen emphasized excellent cooperation with Serbian partners.
The President of the PKCG Assembly, Vojo Banović, spoke about the possibilities of improving the transport of goods between the two countries through the improvement of railway infrastructure.
The owner and president of the board of directors of the company Voli Trade, Dragan Bokan, emphasized the extreme importance of the strengthening of Montenegrin and Serbian brands in the conditions of the open market, which are increasingly lost with the growing influence of foreign chains on the markets of the two countries.
"(Bokan) sees a possible solution for this in the development of joint private trade brands - PL, which could be better positioned on the market in such conditions," the announcement says.
The owner of the company "Stadion" Vojin Žugić expressed satisfaction that the ministers are discussing the removal of economic barriers and emphasized the importance of establishing direct payment transactions between the two countries.
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