The IT industry in Croatia grew four times faster than the GDP, while in Serbia the industry participated in the total GDP with six percent. The income of the IT sector in Croatia in 2020 amounted to 3,7 billion euros and could soon surpass the income from tourism. The export of IT products in Serbia in 2020 amounted to 1,1 billion euros and was higher than the total agricultural export in that country. In Montenegro, although young, that sector in 2020 generated around 170 million euros in revenue.
"At the moment, it participates with some 3,7 percent in our GDP. Of course, there is a lot of room for improvement, especially if we keep in mind that in one Estonia, 12 percent of the GDP of the IT industry is realized. We have 14, maybe this year even 15 percent of the participation in the export of the IT industry in Montenegro, again for the sake of comparison, I can say that in Estonia that number goes up to 40 percent", said the state secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, Marina Banović.
Private individuals say that we are significantly lagging behind Europe, and that the main reason for this is the lack of quality IT personnel. The problem is that as soon as they reach maturity, IT experts easily find work in foreign companies, which disrupts domestic development.
"It is estimated that Montenegro lacks around 500 IT experts at the moment, while in Europe this number has reached one million", Banović states.
Ivica Tatar, director of an IT company in Montenegro, said that a lot of work must be done on education.
"Mwe are working a lot to create staff, I realistically think that IT is a development opportunity for Montenegro, in addition to what we primarily deal with in tourism, agriculture..."
In addition, it is also necessary for the state to recognize the importance of Information Technologies and decide on a long-term investment in this area.
"Somehow, the IT industry needs to become a strategic industry in Montenegro, so that we get some kind of relief in business. Will it be some kind of relief on taxes, contributions and all that we pay or some other kind of support, whether through some investment arrangement, investment funds that we could also develop the IT industry here," he adds.
With the digital transformation strategy announced by the government on December 27, it is planned that by 2026, there will be 50 percent more graduated IT experts in Montenegro, 25 percent more employees in that sector, and significantly more domestic IT companies. TV Vijesti asked those who work in these companies how satisfied they are with the working conditions.
"I am extremely satisfied. The situation regarding earnings has improved significantly in the past couple of years, we trotted a lot before Belgrade, Novi Sad, not to mention the West, now that gap is slowly closing," said developer Marko Lekić.
The Ministry of Public Administration plans to establish an Institute for the education of IT staff and retraining of the unemployed, where people from the region could also be trained. Enrollment of the first generation is planned for September this year.
Bonus video:
