The Ministry of European Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Regional Development and Cooperation with NGOs, through the EU4ME project, organized a panel and workshop on Chapter 20 – Entrepreneurship and Industrial Policy, which Montenegro temporarily closed at the end of last year. The event titled “ENTREPRENEURSHIP. PROJECTS. PERSPECTIVE: Single Market Program and Enterprise Europe” aimed to present entrepreneurs with concrete opportunities to improve their businesses through European Union support.
In her opening address, Renata Milutinović, Acting Director General of the Directorate for Industry and Handicraft Development at the Ministry of Economic Development, emphasized that implementing policies from this chapter creates conditions to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic companies, facilitate access to the European market, and develop a modern, innovative, and sustainable economy.
“Our companies will experience numerous benefits through activities aimed at continuously improving the business environment and removing obstacles that entrepreneurs face every day,” said Milutinović.
Montenegro is the first in the region to sign the Agreement on Participation in the EU Single Market Program. Currently, two projects are being implemented within the program: Enterprise Europe Network – EEN and Cross-RE-Tour.
“The European Commission has approved the continuation of the Enterprise Europe Network project for the Montenegrin consortium, so activities will continue in the next three-year period,” highlighted Mirsada Bošnjak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and Cooperation with NGOs.
Maja Jokanović, head of the negotiating working group for Chapter 20 from the Ministry of Economic Development, spoke about the benefits of closing the chapter.
“The intention is that through joint efforts, to the greatest extent possible, we utilize all available funds, and thereby strengthen the competitiveness of our micro, small, and medium enterprises and better prepare them for market competition in the European Union and beyond,” explained Maja Jokanović, head of the negotiating working group for Chapter 20 from the Ministry of Economic Development.
Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s largest support network for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises with international potential. The Chamber of Commerce, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Montenegro, and the Business Start Center Bar, together with the Ministry of Regional Development and Cooperation with NGOs, implement the project activities. The network helps entrepreneurs access the necessary information for business cooperation and improvement and provides support in understanding EU legislation, rules, and procedures.
“Whoever contacts us, we will direct them to the correct address responsible for the area they are interested in,” said Ivana Tomašević, Director of the Business Start Center Bar.
The Chamber of Commerce focuses on internationalization and connecting businesses.
“Within the network, there is a database for business cooperation. Companies can create profiles, in which we assist them, and express interest in cooperation through the database. Currently, our website includes about 5,400 small and medium-sized enterprises from the EU, including our own, which have decided to seek business partners through this network,” explained Tanja Radusinović, Director of the Project Sector at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro.
Žarko Miranović from Radio DRS, a user of the EEN project, stated that the project funds allowed them to acquire new equipment and that the application and implementation process was simple.
“Our goal was to replace part of the technical equipment. We found a manufacturer, contacted them, and acquired radio receivers that allowed us better coverage, a 30–40% reduction in electricity consumption, and lower operational costs. I especially call on the media to use the funds to modernize equipment and improve business operations,” said Miranović.
The Cross-RE-Tour project supports innovations in circular, green, and digital business in tourism.
“The project is designed to support businesses, whether start-ups or advanced enterprises, that want to introduce innovations in green and digital areas,” explained Jelena Krivčević, Director of the Regional Development Agency Bjelasica, Komovi, and Prokletije.
After the panel, a workshop for entrepreneurs titled “EU Funds for Entrepreneurs” was held.
Dragan Đurišić and Vlado Stojković from the Ministry of European Affairs presented the EmBRACE project and the Danube Region Program, while user experiences were shared by Ljubica Kostić-Bukarica from the company M.A.S. Code.
The entire event was organized as part of the “28do28” campaign, implemented by the Ministry of European Affairs, aimed at presenting citizens in a simple and understandable way the concrete benefits of closing negotiating chapters.
