Statement by Minister of Finance, Milorad Katnić, at a press conference to mark the beginning of one stop shop registration system

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Media Representatives,

First of all, I would like to emphasize a great pleasure of being here today, on the occasion of one reform getting its practical implementation. Starting from today, the initial step of businesses towards the realization of business projects and ideas will be facilitated. The unified registration will bring our system closer to the modern market economies that provide their participants with a simple entry to the market. This is also one of the preconditions envisaged by the Copenhagen Economic Criteria that Montenegro is obliged to meet on its path to the European Union membership.

Business environment improvement is a top priority of the Government of Montenegro, thus thirteen laws are currently in the Parliament procedure, the implementation of which will provide for better business conditions in the area of issuing construction permits, foreigners employment, contracts enforcement, real estate and companies registration. The establishment of one – stop – shop for registration of companies represents the implementation of international standards and European regulation in the administrative management.

In addition to visible and benefits that this reform generates, primarily for the economy, we are sending the message to both the national and the international investment and other public on maturity of the mentality of the state administration, for adjusting to the needs of citizens and the economy. At the same time, the efforts used by the state bodies in attaining these objectives have proved the existence of administrative capacities for the implementation of reforms. Furthermore, their mutual cooperation and the information exchange readiness aimed at unburdening the clients should represent an example and a message to other segments of the state administration in the process of implementing regulatory reforms. In the light of the above, I would like to use the opportunity to thank the Commercial Court, Tax Administration, Ministry of Information Society, Customs Administration and the Central Bank of Montenegro primarily for their enthusiasm and support received in carrying out this work.

I would like to extend my special gratitude to our partners from East West Management Institute which within the project of the Government of Montenegro and USAID provides assistance in implementing the Project “Good Governance” and its component for improving business environment, based on which experts support we implemented this activity.

The World Bank is the important partner of the Government of Montenegro in the area of business environment reform. On the basis of their recommendations the regulatory reform project was launched initially in Montenegro. Furthermore, the World Bank carries out the assessment of the investment environment for each country individually through its Doing Business Report, thus we and reasonably expecting this reform to be recognized in this year’s Report, expected to be released in September.

The Ministry of Finance will in future continue with implementing measures aimed at simplifying and making cost – effective administrative procedures, since our objective is that our taxpayers spend less time and money having to go to several counters, filling different forms, thus creating new values and gaining higher profits subsequently lodging greater taxes.

The Ministry of Finance and administrations will place special attention on compliant taxpayers. At the same time, and I’m using the opportunity to announce that the Ministry of Finance will insist and support activities of administrations aimed at preventing non – observed economy and irregular operations. In this regard, the control over issuing fiscal receipts will be intensified in the forthcoming period envisaging the application of stricter measures – ranging from issuing high monetary fines to the hospitality facilities closure.

I would like to use the opportunity to thank once again the participants and to emphasize that the establishment of the one – stop – shop for registration of companies represents the first stage of the project implementation aimed at broadening the scope for registration of companies within the central Registry to the registries of all legal entities, as well as the establishment of the on - line system for registration of companies, the operation of which will be at full capacity pursuant to the recommendation of the European legislation.

Thank you for your attention!