PM Krivokapić opens the first United States-Montenegro Economic Dialogue

The first United States-Montenegro Economic Dialogue was held via video conference on 16 September 2021.  Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez, and Senior Bureau Official for Economic and Business Affairs Matt Murray opened the event, with senior representatives from both governments also participating.

Both countries strongly welcomed the dialogue as an opportunity to strengthen the economic partnership between two NATO Allies and support Montenegro’s EU accession.  U.S. and Montenegrin officials affirmed their desire to expand engagement and pursue new economic, trade, investment, and commercial opportunities.  They discussed joint efforts to strengthen Montenegro’s business environment and to maximize bilateral trade and investment, including a potential U.S. trade mission to Montenegro in 2022 with a focus on clean energy and Information and Communication Technologies.  They highlighted achievements to advance women’s economic empowerment and committed to empowering women entrepreneurs as a means of building bilateral economic activities through the Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise (POWER) initiative.  Both countries underscored the importance of establishing policy frameworks to protect critical infrastructure, including telecommunication and cyber networks, from foreign influences of concern.

The United States underlined its appreciation for Montenegro’s progress in implementing open economic and investment policies and contribute to regional economic prosperity.  The United States and Montenegro established five working groups to develop initiatives in the areas of trade and investment, economic development, technology and innovation, clean energy and decarbonization, and property rights.

These delegations will continue to promote bilateral cooperation, expand regional partnerships, and create new opportunities for mutually beneficial engagement.