The partnership between the public administration and the business community renders the state appealing to renowned investors

The vision of a developed country, appealing to well-known investors from the U.S. and EU, whose investments would boost our economy and people’s standard of living, is an ambitious goal, and it can only be reached through strong partnership between the public administration and the business community, is a message conveyed at the traditional conference “Openly with the Prime Minister” organized by AmCham Montenegro.

According to Ms. Svetlana Vuksanović, the President of the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce, having well-defined priorities such as creating a stable business environment, combating the informal economy, embracing digital transformation, and investing in human capital are crucial for realizing this vision.

“What is noteworthy is that a conclusion that is reiterated in nearly all our reports on the business climate is that Montenegro is an appealing investment destination due to its pre-accession process to the European Union and its membership in NATO. Because of this, AmCham will stay firm in its support of regulatory reforms that meet EU criteria, ensuring that Montenegro is prepared to join the EU,” said Ms. Vuksanović.

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Judy Rising Reinke, said that American investors are increasingly interested in business opportunities in Montenegro – from infrastructure development and projects in the energy sector, to tourism, IT and healthcare.

“However, investors frequently raise concerns about the unpredictability of enforcing valid contracts as a significant issue that may deter potential future investors. The Embassy and AmCham will continue to help Montenegro advance its economic resilience and prosperity,” the Ambassador said, adding that “we can do this by working together to create a level playing field for all U.S. and other investors.”

The most pressing concerns of the business sector, as well as the opportunities and threats confronting Montenegro, were covered at the traditional “Openly with the Prime Minister” discussion.

Among Montenegro’s top three objectives, according to Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milojko Spajić, are the rule of law, full-fledged EU membership, and exponential economic growth.

“Appointments to the judiciary, a population census that was conducted with a consensus reached with minority and opposition groups, and the swift action to amend the legal regulations that prevented us from being listed on the grey list, are all results that demonstrate our credibility and responsibility as a partner, together with the parliamentary majority. We are fully dedicated to meeting all the requirements for IBAR, and we have faith that in 2028, with the synergy of the entire society in Montenegro, we will become the 28th EU member.  Furthermore, I am pleased to share that we are in the process of drafting a law regarding strategic investments. This law will acknowledge key projects and facilitate investors with long-term intentions to invest in Montenegro, and get an additional boost,” said Mr. Spajić.

Following on the announcement made at the conference, AmCham and the Government of Montenegro will keep working on the “Rule of Dialogue” Program. This program aims to foster a greater degree of mutual understanding between the private and public sectors to aid in securing more effective removal of business barriers, higher-quality legal documents, and stricter enforcement of legal standards by both the public and private sectors.