DPM Simović delivers speech at Round Table of China and CEE Capital Mayors

Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović spoke earlier today at the Round Table of capital mayors of the People's Republic of China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in Podgorica.

DPM Simović thanked the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade, i.e. the Beijing Chamber of International Trade, which chose Podgorica as the host of the Round Table, and in cooperation with the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, organised this important gathering as part of the Second Forum of Mayors of the People's Republic China and Central and Eastern European countries.

"Cooperation of city chambers, launched in 2016, is a new step in the deepening of comprehensive cooperation in the Mechanism 16 + 1, which has expanded to almost all areas since its launch in 2012 and the initial document 12 measures for improving friendly cooperation," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

DPM Simović said that this form of sharing information, experiences and proposing new projects is the most significant and most valuable for policy-making and decision-making guidelines.

"Thanks to the 16 + 1 Mechanism, economic cooperation on bilateral and multilateral level has been enhanced. The joint work of state, regional and city chambers to promote investments and projects in the field of economic cooperation, with the support of the business community, is your task, which is expected to deliver results within this specific but successful framework," Simović noted.

He stated that the chambers of commerce, through the constant search for new models and cooperation platforms, must open the door for new business opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies and increase trade exchange. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the potentials of cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are great and all countries have what to offer in their respective markets.

"Through regular meetings of the Mixed Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the governments of Montenegro and People's Republic of China exchange views and find concrete models of bilateral cooperation, which also contribute to meeting the objectives of the 16 + 1 Cooperation Mechanism. Parallel to this Round Table, an equally important Business Forum is being held. I believe that companies from Montenegro, People's Republic of China and other fifteen countries will find interest in cooperation and implementation of joint projects," DPM Simović said, stressing that investors from 113 countries operate in Montenegro and that in the first quarter of this year, foreign direct investments increased.

"The current competitiveness of Montenegro, according to the World Bank report on the ease of starting a business, is at a relatively high 58th position. Of course, that does not satisfy us. We want to make further progress and make Montenegro a more attractive investment destination in Southeast Europe. In the tourism sector, for example, the best confirmation of the potential is the current volume of investments, which amounts to over EUR three billion. Certainly this is not the only area in which we offer opportunities for economic cooperation and investments. Business opportunities are possible in agriculture, transport, maritime affairs, logistics, industry, ecology, etc.," Simović said.

The Deputy Prime Minister invited chambers of Central and Eastern European countries, the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the Beijing Chamber of International Trade to invest in Montenegro and congratulated them on successful forum.