- Government of Montenegro
DPM Pažin speaks at opening of "Gateway to the Bal...
DPM Pažin speaks at opening of "Gateway to the Balkans - Montenegro 2017" conference
Podgorica, Montenegro (24 October 2017) -- Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy Zoran Pažin spoke at the opening of the "Gateway to the Balkans - Montenegro 2017" conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Embassy of Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Israel.
Opening the conference, DPM Pažin said that Montenegro and the region of Southeast Europe were always at the crossroads of great interest. Nowadays, when Montenegro is a member of NATO, with restored independence and internationally established as a stable and secure state, our desire is to view it as the central point for the influx of investments of successful international companies that are developing their business strategies towards this region, he underlined.
"You are staying in Montenegro, whose development is based on the principles of contemporary democracy and European values, with clearly defined foreign policy priorities and domestic development policies. I reiterate that all the leading European addresses consider Montenegro a leader in EU accession, as well as an example of a country that embraces good neighbourly relations and carefully pursues its regional policy. Based on a stable political and security context, we are today also able to discuss the potential expansion of your business to Montenegro. The Government of Montenegro is fully committed to achieving dynamic and sustainable economic growth," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
"Such an approach has also contributed to the creation of success, and exact data indicate that in the first half of 2017, Montenegro experienced economic growth of 4.2% was, which is among the highest growth rates in Europe. We also note the constant trend of net inflows of foreign direct investments. Namely, compared to the first half of last year, this year we saw an increase in foreign direct investments by 41.7% (FDI for January-June 2017 amounted to 220.045,6 million euros). In parallel, we are also working towards increasing the efficiency of the Montenegrin administration, as a service for citizens, but also for investors. We believe that even more dynamic economic growth is yet to come. With even better valorisation of the Port of Bar, reconstruction and full utilisation of railways, but especially through the construction of motorway and other roads through Montenegro, we can significantly contribute to strengthening the basis for the development of the State," DPM Pažin emphasised.
"Because of all of this, but also of what you will have the opportunity to hear at the conference, allow me to express expectations that this conference will be only a trigger for a higher level of your interest in Montenegro. I hope that you will direct your business strategy towards the Balkans and that Montenegro will be the hub for further development of your investments and the right gateway to your business performance in the region. The Government of Montenegro remains open and fully committed to making contribution and providing support in this regard," Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin concluded.
The conference, which brings together a large number of potential Israeli investors and business people from the two countries, aims to promote new ideas and cooperation between the two countries, as well as to encourage economic entities of the two countries to boost cooperation and implement numerous projects of mutual interest.