Minister Damjanović in Bucharest: Montenegro commended for developing Smart Specialication Strategy

At the invitation of Deputy Director-General of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Minister of Science of Montenegro Sanja Damjanović participates in the conference "Supporting Smart Specialisation Strategies and Technology Transfer in South-East Europe" at the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, Romania.

In her introductory address, Vitcheva commended Montenegro's efforts in the development of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which, after two years, is in the final phase of the process. Vitcheva reminded that last May in Sofia the main theme of the conference on strategies for smart specialisation was the Western Balkans and the development of these strategies in our region. The first international workshop in the Western Balkans, dedicated to this process, was held in Podgorica on 5 February 2019, organised by the Ministry of Science and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

During the panel session "Improving Innovation Policies in South-East Europe through Smart Specialisation Strategies and Technology Transfer", Minister Damjanovic said that Montenegro is very proud, because on Thursday the Government will consider the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

In Montenegro, there are more than 105 strategies, but the Smart Specialisation Strategy will unite all those that are focused on developing economic, or scientific and technological potential.

As the Minister pointed out, Montenegro is also working on the establishment of an innovative ecosystems by encouraging the creation and development of start-ups. The first Scientific and Technological Park in Podgorica will be a leading institution dedicated to the promotion of technological transfer, and one of the main instruments for the implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

Based on the strategic vision of Montenegro's development, the Strategy defines four priority areas, three vertical ones: sustainable agriculture and a food value chain, energy and sustainable environment and sustainable and health tourism, as well as a horizontal priority area: information and communication technologies, because it provides business and technological support to other priority areas.