Council for Innovation and Smart Specialisation holds its first session: priorities of Smart Specialisation Strategy as foundation of new model of development of Montenegro

At its first session, chaired by the President of the Council – Prime Minister Duško Marković, the Council for Innovation and Smart Specialisation indicated that Smart Specialisation Strategy of Montenegro (2019-2024), adopted by our country six months ago as the first country in the region to do so, presents the foundation for economic growth and progress of society in other domains, as well as a precondition for defining the new model of development of Montenegro.

Strongly supporting the three strategic priorities identified in the document – sustainable agriculture and food value chain, energy and sustainable environment and sustainable health tourism, the Council pointed to the need of further strong development of ICT, as well as of creation of a separate start-up programme.

The fact was also indicated that Strategy is compatible with priorities of the new European Commission, as confirmed by a letter of the European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Olivér Várhelyi sent to Prime Minister Marković the day before. “I welcome that Montenegro was the first country in the region to adopt a Smart Specialisation Strategy (June 2019), which has the potential to boost growth and jobs by identifying and developing own competitive advantages via an innovative approach” – the European Commissioner indicated in his letter, which was presented to the Council.

At the first session of the Council for Innovation and Smart Specialisation, as the President of the body – Prime Minister Duško Marković assessed that our country needed stable long-term growth and development, sustainable and competitive industrial production, and employed young people, who would drive our society forward through their creativity and commitment.

“We need to diversify our economy, and although we are fully aware of all the limits we have, we must try to take up space in at least a few technologically intensive areas. Therefore, we plan to focus our modest resources on three priority areas, intensively supporting innovation in them at all levels, but with particular attention to young generations of experts. It is our task to create a centre of gravity, at least in these few priority areas of activity, that will attract and retain these people in Montenegro regardless of whether they are currently educated here or pursue new knowledge at a temporary address abroad” – PM Marković said.

The Council introduced itself with the Action Plan for implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Montenegro (2019-2024) – the goals for 2020, considering the possibilities for establishing an implementation body for encouraging innovation.

The 2020 Work Programme of the Council for Innovation and Smart Specialisation was adopted.

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