Smart Specialization Strategy: meeting of the working group for metal industry and construction

The fifth workshop within the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, in which the sectoral group for construction and metal industry took part, was held today in the premises of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro.

Besides the representatives of the Ministry, the workshop was moderated by the consultants for Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, Ms. Marjana Majerič, Assistant General Manager at Technology Park Ljubljana, and Mr. Aleš Pevc, Project Management Consultant at the Park.

During the discussion, which lasted several hours, the participants have emphasized the importance of cooperation and exchange of experiences in the sector of construction and metal industry, with a view to jointly define the priorities, as well as the challenges in practice. The focus has been placed on the utilization of natural resources, the cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the development of specialized programmes that would help to offer products that are currently being imported from abroad.

It was assessed that synergy of all sectoral groups within the Entrepreneurship Process and intersectoral cooperation were necessary, with the active role of academic community being particularly important. We should use the favourable investment wave and engage with innovative ideas in large infrastructure projects, such as the highway and Porto Novi. Furthermore, the recycling of old buildings and areas was discussed, i.e. the conversion of old buildings that could be treated in an innovative and creative way, and so was the use of industrial waste for construction purposes, such as grids, which ought to be achieved precisely by the Smart Specialization Strategy.

The measures that decision-makers should implement, which would encourage the growth of these sectors, mostly relate to modernization, removal of administrative barriers, harmonization of regulations between institutions and new support packages.

Experts from STP Ljubljana responded to questions about Slovenia’s experience in the process of adopting the S3 strategy by stressing that the adoption of the strategy was a long and demanding process, requiring active involvement of all sectors and mutual support.

One of the conclusions of the discussion was that the Smart Specialization Strategy ought to stimulate the production of innovative and eco materials and the recycling of waste materials. Existing materials should be given a new useful value (for example, stone covers 70% of the territory of Montenegro, and decorative stone exists at 120 locations, which have already been subjected to laboratory and geological tests). In addition, the possibility of using red sludge and slag was mentioned, which were not used in the past despite constituting a great potential of our country.

The workshop was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Montenegro, Institute for Ferrous Metallurgy, Academy of Engineering Sciences, Engineers Chamber, Chamber of Economy, as well as companies Čelebić, 7. avgust, Bomex-M.d.o.o., Šišković d.o.o., Geoservis, CEROVO, Zetagradnja, DM Kristal, Ramel, E3 Consulting, Toščelik Nikšić, UNIPRED from Bijelo Polje, Zep d.o.o. from Danilovgrad, and Normal company.

Further details about the Smart Specialization Strategy, Entrepreneurial Discovery Process and previously held meetings of the sectoral working groups are available here:
http://www.mna.gov.me/en/ministry/Smart_Specialisation/