Representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro, Mr. Nikola Tripković, President, Marko Miročević, PhD,  Executive Director and Ana-Marija Kaludjerović, Policy Manager, met today with the Minister of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media, Ms. Tamara Srzentić.

Minister Srzentić thanked AmCham for its cooperation and assistance which has provided so far, and pointed out that the digital transformation has presented new challenges and needs and we must change together, introduce new approaches, principles and policies, in order to deliver to all our citizens, services in a transparent, inclusive, agile and efficient manner.

She emphasized that several programs have been launched with the goal of empowering officials at the state and local level and help them learn new skills they need as a public servants in the digital era, as well as announced that Ministry is planning to establish a digital and leadership Academy.

The AmCham President pointed out that digital transformation is a priority of Montenegrin society.

“We are convinced that this is the path that leads to the modernization of life, as well as better transparency and productivity of all processes. The digital transformation of society and economy will help us to be faster and more efficient in solving challenges, to reduce the level of the grey economy, and, ultimately, increase foreign direct investment. By forming the Council for Digital Transformation within the Government of Montenegro, which would consist primarily of experts, representatives of academia, science and ICT community, as well as ministers of relevant ministries, we would create a quality platform for managing the process of digital transformation of economy and society and send a message that digital transformation is a development priority “, said Mr. Tripković.

Minister Srzentić welcomed the initiative for establishing a Council that would gather as many representatives as possible.

Representatives of the AmCham said that they recognize the importance of digitalization of public administration in terms of improving the business environment and removing business barriers, and in this context, have offered their platforms to strengthen cooperation with the ministry, especially in the field of digitalization.

At the meeting it was also discussed about the Program – Partnership for a Better Business Environment, which the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro has been implementing with ministries in the Government of Montenegro since April 2017, as well as the Digital Transformation Committee, established in 2018, with the aim of improving digital transformation of the companies in Montenegro, facilitate the transition to digital business, as well as provide support to the public administration in the process of digital transformation of the country.

Minister Srzentić pointed out that the recommendations coming from the private sector are very important in the field of digitalization, and in that sense, welcomed the inclusion of representatives of the Ministry in the AmCham program Partnership for a Better Business Environment.

It was concluded that the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media and AmCham Montenegro will intensify cooperation through various forms of partnership and that digital transformation will be a priority and strategic development principle.