Montenegro has fulfilled more than half of the measures envisaged by the Reform Agenda, which means that our country will be granted another approximately 55 million euros from the Brussels budget under the Growth Plan program. This is a mechanism for bringing candidate countries closer to membership in the European Union, but in order for the funds to be disbursed, criteria must be met, including in the area of the rule of law.
The Ministry of European Affairs has submitted the third quarterly Report to the European Commission, whose opinion is expected during April. Based on the reforms achieved, Montenegro will be paid 50 million euros, as well as additional funds on the basis of the 60 implemented reform steps, according to the Ministry of European Affairs.
Indirect benefits from the implemented reforms and the Growth Plan will also be felt by the economy.
Bojan Vujović from the Ministry of European Affairs says that Montenegrin companies are already using direct support from cross-border projects, such as EMBACE, which supported 19 micro and small enterprises with 1.1 million euros. Croatia’s experience helped in creating innovative solutions, say grant beneficiaries.
“We are a mechanical center engaged in the production and repair of machine parts. This project has led us to a new concept and, I hope, opened the door and the path toward Europe,” says Dragana Đurović, a grant beneficiary.
The Chamber of Economy organizes workshops where businesspeople can obtain information about the opportunities offered by the funds, and in the second half of the year there will also be training sessions for project writing.
The pre-accession funds currently available to the Montenegrin economy are intended for education, strengthening competitiveness, the blue economy, training of fishermen, renewable energy sources, maritime affairs, freight forwarding, tourism, and the green and circular economy.
Source: rtcg.me