Statement by Director of USAID's efficient management in Montenegro, Marc Lassman, at a press conference to mark the beginning of one stop shop registration system

On behalf of the GG Activity, which is funded by USAID, I would like to congratulate the GoM &MOF in this very important step on the road to positively reforming the legal and regulatory frameworks supporting the business environment in MNE.

We have been very pleased with the enthusiastic reception and desire for cooperation that we’ve been greeted with by the GoM & MOF since our project began just 6 months ago. Together we have already worked to unify the forms and minimize the procedures required for registering businesses in MNE, a major step in reform that we are commemorating today. Additionally, we look forward to working together to further simplify the legal and regulatory requirements for opening and operating businesses in MNE over the coming months and years.

The GoM should be commended for its strong initiative and commitment in pursuing business environment reforms, which all seem to be emanating from the GoM itself, as opposed to coming from international organizations or donors.

Today is a great achievement, and an important step towards the final goal of one-stop-shops for business registration, licenses and permits. Further steps will need to include passing the required legal and regulatory frameworks to support one stop shops in MNE; unifying the Information Systems of the various ministries and administrations involved in processing business registrations, licenses and permits in order to streamline the process; and creating the conditions to enable businesses to register outside Podgorica via the Tax Administration network of branch offices.

The continued involved and commitment of the various state authorities will still be needed, but today is a good example of the positive efforts that have been undertaken by all those here today in order to bring MNE another step closer to the objective of having its system represent both European and International best practices in the area of business enabling environment.