PM Krivokapić holds annual meeting with the business community

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić met today with business community in the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro. The regular annual meeting was also attended by Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović, Minister of Capital Investments Mladen Bojanić and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Aleksandar Stijović.

In his address, Prime Minister Krivokapić pointed out that the Government is absolutely committed to all citizens and all businessmen.

At the beginning, the Government clearly stated its vision, where, how and in what way Montenegro should go. Montenegro must go for accelerated economic growth and development. In order to ensure that, we must start from the premise that is a prerequisite for that, and that is to have an innovative, smart, sustainable and inclusive approach, said Prime Minister Krivokapić.

PM Krivokapić pointed out that it was not easy when they assumed power after 30 years, because they found empty coffers.

The Prime Minister said that it was a difficult beginning, but the results were achieved. He reminded that with the economic growth of -15.3 percent we were the last in Europe, but that today we are the first in Europe with the economic growth of more than 14 percent. Although the IMF forecast was very clear, four percent. This success was achieved thanks to a dedicated, completely clear and professional approach and the opening of new markets and targeting those markets that can be good for our tourist season, he said.

The Prime Minister also said that Montenegro should prioritise corporate social responsibility, and that corporate social responsibility is not just looking at the profit.

The axis of corporate social responsibility concept is the harmonious relationship among stakeholders. It is not fair that projects that are not profitable, competitive and sustainable should be implemented by the Government, while projects that are competitive and sustainable should be implemented by someone else. The practice of public-private partnership should be applied, so that we can share every problem, but also the profit, the Prime Minister emphasised.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that the problem of emigration from Montenegro is not caused only by the economy, but also by the lack of infrastructure which would enable high-quality village life in the 21st century.

If you want the best for every citizen, don't forget the ones you don't see. This is the approach that Montenegro must have and which is related to social justice and, of course, a fair transition that must take place, said Prime Minister Krivokapić.

The Prime Minister also said that the "Europe Now" programme is the best project in the last 70 years and added that there is no micro, small or medium-sized company that cannot pay the lowest amount of 450 euros.

Prime Minister Krivokapić said the new crisis would be a food and water crisis.

Montenegro has the resources that it has not completely used. And that is the substitution of this large import with domestic production by enlarging, uniting, modernizing and automating this production. If we don't do that, we will keep saying that we lack seasonal workers. And that will be a story we will not be able to tell to its end. It is something that we have not managed to bring closer to the public, that a humane dual economy comes to life in our north. And that people are finally coming back to us, and not, as before, just leaving, said the Prime Minister.

The time has come for us to have accurate data. That is something that is inevitable. We need to have accurate data, without falsifying data. We need these data so that we can project future direction and the visions that are necessary for Montenegro, said PM Krivokapić.