Public call for consultation of the interested public – drafting the Proposal for a Law on Incentives for Research and Innovation Development

Pursuant to Article 12 of the Decree on the appointment of representatives of non-governmental organisations to the working bodies of state administration bodies and the conduct of public consultations in the process of drafting laws and strategies (Official Gazette of Montenegro 41/18), the Ministry of Science announces a Public call for consultation of the interested public on Proposal for a Law on Incentives for Research and Innovation Development.

The reason for passing this law is to provide for an increase in the level of research and innovation, in terms of enhancing the human resources, knowledge and capital invested in scientific research and innovation activities.

Through the two laws, the new Law on Innovation Activities and the Law on Incentives for Research and Innovation Development as a lex specialis, the Government of Montenegro plans to promote the area and to encourage the development of national innovation system. Public consultations have been opened for both laws.

Incentives in the current draft of the law include tax reductions and exemptions or reliefs in the following categories: personal income tax and surtax, mandatory social security contributions, income tax, construction land utility infrastructure fees, and real estate tax.

The categories of users defined by the law are: undertakings that implement innovative projects; scientific research institutions that implement scientific research and innovative projects; innovative start-ups and spin-offs; natural persons – freelancers, inventors and innovators; investors in innovation activity – legal entities and natural persons.

The consultation process implies giving initiatives, suggestions, remarks and comments in the initial stage of drafting the laws.

The process will be opened in the period from 15 May to 1 June 2020.

The person responsible for coordination of the consultation process is Branka Žižić, Director-General for Innovation and Technological Development, e-mail: branka.zizic@mna.gov.me.

The initiatives, suggestions, remarks and comments may be submitted electronically, via e-Government portal (e-Participation), or to the following e-mail address: milja.stanojevic@mna.gov.me.