Montenegro and Slovenia are strengthening their economic and political connection every day, and there is room to open new fields of cooperation in the areas of digitalization, IT services, energy, tourism, agriculture and wood processing, it was assessed at the business forum of the two countries.
As part of the official visit of the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar to Montenegro, the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia, the SPIRIT Slovenia agency, and with the support of the European Entrepreneurship Network, organized a business forum and bilateral talks between Montenegrin and Slovenian businessmen.
The goal was to assess the possibilities for improving and improving the economic relations between the two countries, introducing Slovenian businessmen to business opportunities in Montenegro, as well as our businessmen to business opportunities in the Slovenian market.
The president of PKCG, Nina Drakić, assessed that the business forum will contribute to the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries.
"Today we are meeting in the presence of two heads of state, which speaks in favor of our claim that Montenegro and Slovenia are strengthening their economic and political connection every day. I am convinced that these meetings will open up new economic horizons, and stimulate partnerships and friendships between companies and businessmen," said Drakić.
She thanked Slovenia for actively promoting the expansion of the European Union to the countries of the Western Balkans, valuing Montenegro's contribution to regional stability and cooperation, and its role within the NATO alliance.
According to her, the Slovenian economy is very developed, industrially possible and the most promising among the countries of the former Yugoslavia, with pronounced results in the environmental sustainability index, and a measured economic policy, adapted to the modern needs of the economy and citizens.
"Montenegro wants to follow all the mentioned positive experiences, and I believe that we have been doing this to a large extent since the restoration of independence, especially after gaining full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," Drakić said.
She stated that in the last decade our country profiled itself as an attractive investment destination, entered a period of demanding reforms to reach European standards and stepped into a period of economic prosperity advancing on the lists of competitiveness of the business environment.
Today, as Drakić said, dozens of companies with Slovenian capital are operating in Montenegro.
However, despite the strengthening of inter-company partnerships, trade balances, especially those that show the export capacity of the Montenegrin economy, are still very modest. He is pleased with the continuous growth in the number of Slovenian tourists and the record number of arrivals and overnight stays last year.
"We believe that there is room to open new fields of cooperation in the areas of digitization, IT services, energy, tourism, agriculture and wood processing. I am convinced that Slovenian investors will recognize the interest in investing in certain sectors of the Montenegrin economy, because comparative advantages exist on our side, and your specialized and diversified economy will correctly identify spheres for investment and investments," said Drakić.
The General Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia, Vesna Nahtigal, expressed her satisfaction that, in co-organization with the Public Agency SPIRIT, Slovenia is leading a business delegation visiting friendly Montenegro, a candidate for the EU, just a few days before the 20th anniversary of Slovenia's entry into the European Union.
"Our pre-accession slogan twenty or more years ago was the same as yours: Europe now, therefore Europe now, and today 93 percent of Slovenian residents believe that our membership in the EU is a success and a benefit for our country and that we have regained our place in Europe" , Nahtigal stated.
According to her, membership in the EU contributed to achieving a higher growth rate, achieving a net inflow from the EU budget, and operating in the common market, which, she states, is extremely important, because Slovenia must export 80 percent of everything it produces in order to survive.
She stated that Montenegro has been part of the European project for some time, and the EU was founded with the aim of increasing competitiveness and simplified cooperation in the European economy.
"Today we are facing major geopolitical challenges for which we are jointly looking for solutions. Europe's position in the emerging multipolar world is weakened, so we must strengthen our efforts to increase productivity and competitiveness through digitization and green transition", said Nahtigal, adding that Slovenian and Montenegrin challenges in this turning point are similar, if not common.
She pointed out that the economic partnership between Slovenia and Montenegro remains at relatively low figures of around 130 million EUR per year in goods exchange, with a pronounced deficit and lower added value of products from the Montenegrin side. However, he states that with over EUR 200 million, Slovenia is among the largest investors in the Montenegrin economy, especially with investments in sectors that form the backbone of every economy: financial, transport and logistics, energy.
"Recently, a standstill has been noticed in this area, so I want to encourage Montenegrin partners and representatives of the authorities to boldly continue the projects, including the implementation of the spatial plan. Also, you can count on the support and engagement of both chambers of commerce and partner organizations in order to establish a productive business environment," Nahtigal said.
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, said that this important business forum was organized as a result of his visit to Slovenia last year.
"Slovenian companies were pioneers in investing in Montenegro, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, and they also participated in the construction of one of the most important infrastructure projects - the Sozina tunnel - which brought the port city of Bar even closer to our capital," said Milatović. adding that Slovenian companies have also established high standards in our tourism.
On the other hand, says Milatović, today we can be proud that some of the successful Montenegrin companies are expanding their business in Slovenia, proving their ability to compete in the more competitive markets of the European Union.
He said that these experiences will contribute to the stronger internationalization of our companies, expressing special gratitude to our honorary consul in Slovenia, Vojislav Kovač, whose efforts and dedication were key in strengthening our bilateral relations, but above all in improving our economic cooperation.
"Meetings like this are an opportunity to learn from the best. Slovenia is the first country from the region to join the European Union, the first to join the Eurozone. It was the first debtor to become a donor in the World Bank, and you will hardly find any parameter when it comes to the index of living standards of development without Slovenia being in the very top of the region, and often in Europe," said Milatović.
According to him, due to all of the above, Slovenia is the best example of where we can get to, through dedicated work, strengthening of institutions, investment in knowledge.
"I know that you are ready, and that you have incredible potential, and that is why it is necessary to create a sustainable legal and economic framework in which this accelerated development can take place. Our economic cooperation is significant, but in terms of trade exchange of 130 million euros, it is not even a fraction of its potential. I think we can do much more than the current parameters, whether it is trade, tourism or investments", said Milatović.
He invited all those present to use this meeting as a platform for strengthening our economic cooperation, for joint projects that will surpass all previous initiatives and lay the foundations for future intensive cooperation.
The President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, expressed her satisfaction that today's Slovenian-Montenegrin business forum shows how much interest the economies of both countries have in further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
According to her, bilateral relations between Slovenia and Montenegro are excellent, with no open issues, and cooperation in many areas is very good, as shown by positive economic indicators.
"However, there is untapped potential for further strengthening of economic cooperation, that's why Slovenian companies from various industries are with me today, which shows great entrepreneurial interest. Let this event be the first chapter of at least one future story about successful cooperation", said Pirc Musar.
She pointed out that Slovenia strongly supports Montenegro on its Euro-Atlantic path.
"I sincerely welcome all the efforts of Montenegro to speed up the negotiation process on the way to the EU, as well as the commitment to negotiations, including the implementation of essential reforms. It is important that the rapprochement with the EU continues with such enthusiasm and essential work in the future as well," stated Pirc Musar.
Pirc Musar also said that, in the period of adjustment and changes in Montenegro, Slovenia believes that the current government will focus its efforts on ensuring a safe and predictable business and investment environment, fair treatment of companies in administrative and judicial proceedings, and their appropriate legal protection.
"This will certainly contribute to the increase in trade between Montenegro and other countries, and the attraction of foreign direct investments, not only from Slovenia. The opportunity for increased cooperation in the economic field will also be provided through the Instrument for the Reform and Growth of the Western Balkans", said Pirc Musar.
She also referred to the ESG Adria Summit.
"At this event, we dealt with one of the key topics of today, which has and will have a great impact on the dynamics of our economies: sustainable development and the responsibility of all actors, especially companies, in relation to environmental, social and economic standards, and their implementation in practice." stated Pirc Musar.
She added that great attention should be paid to strengthening the responsibility of companies, both towards workers, the environment in which they operate, and the society in which they create.
As part of the business forum, businessmen also had the opportunity for informal talks with the presidents of the two countries.
The forum ended with bilateral talks between the representatives of the companies of the two countries about the possibilities of establishing cooperation on the realization of specific jobs.
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