Montenegro’s economy is facing numerous challenges, but it also holds strong potential in terms of competitiveness. Speaking during the third panel of the RED Conference titled “How Montenegro Develops Economic Competitiveness,” Anđela Gajević, Acting Director General of the Directorate for Economic Competitiveness at the Ministry of Economic Development, highlighted the impacts of global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and current U.S. policies. She pointed out that even more resilient economies have not been immune to these shocks, and Montenegro is no exception.
According to Gajević, competitiveness is not a choice but a condition for survival. In the context of policy-making, it is crucial to establish a regulatory environment that supports economic growth by removing administrative barriers and enabling businesses to create market-competitive products. She added that the Ministry is continuously working on launching new programs to support the competitiveness of the domestic economy.
She emphasized that Montenegro’s most important resource is its people, stating that the country has skilled and capable individuals who can drive change. While the foundations of Montenegro’s fiscal and economic policy are strong, there is room for improvement. In agriculture, she stressed the importance of supporting producers through grants and subsidies.
Gajević also noted the importance of diversifying the economy and preparing for external shocks. She explained that the Ministry has launched a non-refundable support program aimed at helping businesses upgrade their production capacities and modernize processes. This should lead to the creation of competitive products that can succeed both locally and internationally.
For 2025, the government’s focus will be on boosting food production and strengthening domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports.
