The Ministry of Finance today, through a roundtable, began a public dialogue on the Draft Economic Reform Program for the period from next to 2028 (PER), a key economic planning document for Montenegro, which is being prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the European Commission (EC).
The Ministry of Finance announced that during the roundtable, organized with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the basic objectives and structure of the PER were presented, as well as the ways in which interested parties can best contribute to the development of the final document.
"The Government is preparing the economic reform program with the broad participation of institutions, social partners and international organizations, and the document will be fully harmonized with the Budget Bill," the statement said.
In line with this year's EC guidelines for the preparation of the Economic Reform Programme for the period up to 2028, the document consists of a macroeconomic and fiscal framework. The consistency between the Reform Agenda and the Economic Reform Programme is presented in a separate chapter on the alignment of the Reform Agenda with the macro-fiscal framework, with the aim of coherence and credibility of economic and fiscal policies.
The PER 2026-2028 was discussed by the Directors General of the Ministry of Finance, Miloš Mišković and Bojan Paunović, and the Director General Andrijana Ulić Rajović. During the presentation, it was emphasized that, according to the basic macroeconomic scenario, the Montenegrin economy will grow at an average annual rate of 3,2 percent in the medium term, or 3,2 percent in the following years, 3,1 percent and 3,2 percent in 2027 and 2028, respectively. In terms of price stability, after the expected inflation rate of 3,8 percent this year, a clear downward trend is projected, bringing the inflation rate to two percent at the end of the projected horizon.
The period from next year to 2028 will be marked by an intensive investment cycle that will be implemented both through the Capital Budget and with significant EU funds provided by the Growth Plan, including projects to build key road and rail infrastructure. In parallel, within the framework of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, significant funds remain available to Montenegro for the implementation of structural reforms and infrastructure investments.
The remaining funds for the implementation of the investment plan will be provided through favorable borrowing, with balanced risk and cost management.
The round table, organized within the project Strengthening Public Finance Management in Montenegro, was attended by representatives of the Union of Employers, the Union of Free Trade Unions, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City of Podgorica, the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, international organizations, as well as other interested public.
During the constructive discussion, a number of proposals and suggestions were made, which, after the public debate, will be reviewed and processed by the PER Drafting Working Group, and then finalize the text of the document.
The plan is for the Government to adopt the PER 2026-2028 in December and submit it to the EC.
Proposals and suggestions regarding the aforementioned Program can be submitted during the public debate, or until Monday, to the e-mail addresses ivana.radojicic@mif.gov.me and anastasija.perucica@mif.gov.me.
Bonus video:
