AmCham Montenegro marking 10 years in this year

,, In the previous ten years, the Chamber has actively participated in the improvement of the business environment and positioned itself as a successful mediator in the communication between the private sector and state administration. The evidence of this is the cooperation the Chamber has established with four Ministries in the Government of Montenegro in the previous year, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health, within the program Partnership for Better Business Environment”.

Podgorica, 29 March, Hotel Hilton– Montenegro represents a promising destination for American investors, said U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Margaret Ann Uyehara, evaluating that cooperation between the Government of Montenegro and business community is needed in order to improve the business environment.

During the business luncheon, organized by American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro (AmCham Montenegro) for its members, state and local administration officials, as well as representatives of international organizations, Ambassador said that American investors are interested in coming to Montenegro.

She is of opinion that foreign investors do not just provide vacancies, but also carry specific knowledge with themselves, clear positive practice, and employment of local citizens.

Ambassador Uehara pointed out that the problem with bureaucracy exit, because, as she noted, the decisions are not made on the mid-level.

,, It is always needed to wait for some executive at the top to make a certain decision. I am of opinion that there was an improvement within the regulative and legal framework, but there is still a lot to be worked on. We should decrease bureaucracy and give authority for mid-level decision making“, evaluated Uyehara.

While speaking about the grey economy, Uyehara said that this phenomenon represents a challenge not only to Montenegro but to many other countries as well.

‘’There has to be a continuing cooperation between the state administration and business environment, everyone has to think of the ways in which the improvements can occur in this field. Is needed to properly arrange the tax structure, decrease the number of unregistered companies, and to strengthen the border controls’’, stated Uyehara.

Uehara evaluated that it is crucial for the Government and the business community to cooperate on all levels.

While speaking about what AmCham can improve in the following period, she said that the Chamber is doing a great work, and that started activities should be carried out, while putting special emphasis on the quality of the program Partnership for Better Business Environment. Uehara invited members to become actively involved in the work of the Chamber.

The President of AmCham Executive Board, Katarina Bulatović, reminded that this year the association is marking ten years since its founding.

,, In the previous ten years, the Chamber has actively participated in the improvement of the business environment and positioned itself as a successful mediator in the communication between the private sector and state administration. The evidence of this is the cooperation the Chamber has established with four Ministries in the Government of Montenegro in the previous year, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health, within the program Partnership for Better Business Environment, which became active in April in the previous year“, noted Bulatović.

According to her, the priority in the work of AmCham in this year is the fight against the grey economy.

„ The fight against grey economy is an important step in order to create stable business environment and equality amongst the competitors on the market. AmCham will have a special focus on further improvement of labor legislation as well as work on Public Procurement Law, in order to create conditions for doing business according to foreign standards.“

„Attracting new investors as well as maintaining the existing ones is only possible with the improvement of business environment, while the key requirement for the improved business environment is timely and continued communication between the decision makers and business community“ emphasized Bulatović.

She has expressed gratitude towards the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica, as well as H.E. Margaret Ann Uyehara, for being primary partner of AmCham in all efforts in the improvement of the business environment in Montenegro.