PM Krivokapić attends AmCham Montenegro Gala Dinner

A higher level of understanding and cooperation between the private and public sector are key preconditions for the further development of the Montenegrin economy and society, this was a message sent from the traditional Gala Dinner, held within the American Chamber of Commerce's Partnership for Better Business Environment.

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić said that the biggest challenge today is corruption, which also threatens the security sector, but also destroys the economic fabric.

That is why the most significant stride of this Government is the "Europe Now" programme. With it, we want to do what no one has done in Montenegro - to reduce the poverty rate and increase the purchasing power of citizens. At the same time, we are demonstrating zero tolerance for corruption. We believe that the cooperation with the United States will increase every day and that we will soon sign a significant agreement on one investment venture that will be written in the history of Montenegro, Krivokapić said.

AmCham Montenegro’s Managing Board Chairman Svetlana Vuksanović said that only timely, high-quality and continuous dialogue can produce those solutions that lead to the improvement of the business environment, and which are sustainable and applicable in practice.

We hope that the Government of Montenegro has recognised the importance of our programme and our desire to be a true partner in the decision-making process, to create a predictable and transparent business environment based on the rule of law and attract more reputable investors from the United States of America and Western European countries, said Vuksanović and called on the relevant ministries to intensify cooperation with the AmCham Committees.

US Ambassador to Montenegro Judy Rising Reinke said that the American Chamber of Commerce, with its efforts, had a significant impact on the business climate in Montenegro and on strengthening the partnership between the public and private sector.

We are all on the same task because we all strive for a business environment that is transparent, fair and predictable. I regularly talk to interested American investors who are considering business prospects in Montenegro, but often complain that the business climate here does not suit them. They raise concers about the lack of transparency in public procurement, the unpredictability of the implementation of existing contracts or the undue influence. In short, they point to corruption and distrust in the system. That is why additional efforts are needed in the fight against corruption, and I am sure that stronger cooperation and communication between the Government and the private sector is essential for success, the Ambassador said.

She reminded that the USA and Montenegro launched a new bilateral economic dialogue in September, which, as she said, is an excellent platform for deepening cooperation between the two countries.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar addressed the audience via video message and stressed the need to further intensify Montenegro's economic ties with the US and Europe to improve living standards and Montenegro's position on the European path.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro has been and will be our most important partner in this task. Together with us, you need to be a key link in shaping policies that respond to the needs of the private sector. In the coming period, we want you to be advocates for the interests of companies operating in Montenegro, so that we can be sure that the changes that await Montenegro in the next few years will have a positive impact on them, said Escobar.

Minister of Health Jelena Borovinić Bojović and President of the AmCham Committee for Digital Transformation Vuka Vukašinović received letters of appreciation for their special contribution to the Programme.

As of April 2017, AmCham has been implementing the Partnership for Better Business Environment aimed at raising mutual understanding between the public and private sectors in order to contribute to the more efficient removal of business barriers, better quality of texts of legal documents and better implementation of legal norms both by the public administration and the private sector.