Business people meet Government's officials: Together we can reduce grey economy to lowest possible extent

"Let me express my satisfaction with the results achieved and the reforms implemented by this Government, but I also express gratitude to the respected business people who have contributed to these successes with their business activities. ... The grey economy remains the biggest obstacle to increasing the level of competitiveness of the domestic economy and its development. No matter how much the State has been trying to legally regulate the performance of economic activities, there are always segments in which a larger or smaller volume of transactions is in the so-called gray zone, which has the effect of stifling regular business, thus depriving the state budget from the original income," Mr Golubović underscored.

"I think that we can reduce the grey economy by the joint action of the economy and the Government to the lowest extent possible. Strengthening the capacity of the public administration to enforce the law tightens the space for action in the grey zone. Through media campaigns, it is necessary to raise awareness about the importance of tax culture for the development of education, health and other areas of importance for the quality of life of citizens. Only through joined forces, as allies, we can triumph in the war against the grey economy. It may sound dramatic, but I think that this is the level at which we must solve the burning problem of our economy and society as a whole," President of Montenegro's Chamber of Commerce Vlastimir Golubović noted.

He recalled a series of projects in which the economy cooperated with the Government and ministries and outlined several regulations that already exist or are being drafted, which have a negative impact on the economy and business.

Both the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of Voli company Dragan Bokan pointed to the issue of insufficient or insufficiently qualified domestic workforce, which is why they have to employ foreigners, most often from the countries of the region.

Representatives of the tourism industry, Dragan Purko Ivančević and Radomir Mikan Zec, pointed out the problem of noise, grey economy and illegal and temporary facilities.

Mr Ivančević called on the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the Government to design measures to reduce the grey economy in accommodation capacities and excursion tourism to a tolerable level.

 

Director of the Ulcinj Riviera Radomir Mikan Zec spoke about the issue of noise in Ada Bojana, which some cafés in that area produce during the season. Because of that, said the Director of the Ulcinj Riviera, penalties are paid to tour operators.

Agricultural producers complimented the Government's efforts to increase the funds to support the development of this area, both from the national budget and EU funds, stressing that the effects are visible in terms of  production modernisation and product quality. As to further development of this area, they proposed to intensify the promotion and affirmation of domestic products, through trade and tourism. To this end, they commended the first results of the Buy Homemade Programme, initiated by the Government of Montenegro in cooperation with business people and retail chains, which showed growth in the purchase of domestic products, as well as the Domestic Flavours campaign, conducted in cooperation with the tourism industry. In order to improve the environment for better placement of domestic products and further development of companies in that sector, they proposed to the Government to provide special financial support to overcome longer payment periods between trade and domestic producers, as well as to review the regulations in the field of public procurement, where many home-grown products are excluded.

Executive Director of Plantaže Winery Verica Maraš pointed out in particular the closeness of certain markets for the Montenegrin wine, and on the other hand, the complete openness of our market in that area.

Čikom's representative, Vladan Tabaš, said that the digital transformation has been on the rise in the past few years, but that he believes that the IT sector needs to be improved. "Telecommunication infrastructure needs to be improved and the prices of telecommunication infrastructure services should be lower so that we can use all available digital services," Vladan Tabaš stated.