Podgorica, July 26 – The participation of the business community in the creation of policies aimed at connecting scientific and research institutions with the economy will contribute to the progress of the entire society, agree the President of the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce Svetlana Vuksanović and the Minister of Science and Technological Development Biljana Šćepanović, PhD. They signed a Memorandum of Cooperation within the American Chamber of Commerce’s “Rule of Dialogue” program.

As Vuksanović said, the signing of the Memorandum will enable the representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technological Development to cooperate together through the Inter-Institutional Group for Smart Specialization.

“There are many areas where the ideas and practices of our members can be used.” With this Memorandum, we provide a good basis for supporting the promotion of science and research, but also stimulate innovation in entrepreneurship. The American Chamber of Commerce will help create conditions for the development of innovative activities by improving the environment for the functioning of startups and other entities that perform innovative activities. We are also looking forward to the fact that the Memorandum will enable the private sector to be involved in the design of instruments as well as the implementation of the concept of smart specialization,” said Vukasanović.

Šćepanović emphasized that, for the department she manages, dialogue and active involvement of all parties – public administration, business, academic community and civil society – is a key factor in progress in science, research and technological development.

“The joint engagement of all the aforementioned actors forms the basis of the concept of smart specialization, within which the priority areas for the development of Montenegro are defined, as part of the strategy of long-term economic growth based on innovation and knowledge.” In this sense, we are very happy to add the American Chamber of Commerce to the rather heterogeneous framework for the development and implementation of the concept of smart specialization as a reliable partner in providing support for the further development of regulations important for the business environment,” Šćepanović said.

 Vuksanović pointed out that economies in modern society rest on innovations, while the application of digital solutions increases the efficiency of all processes.

 “And there we have room for discussion so that they can work together to create development policies adapted to such a reality.” Therefore, the focus of public policies, and therefore of our conversations, should be digital transformation that leads to greater transparency and productivity of all processes, but also adjustment of the labor market and human capital,” said Vuksanović.

As stated, the cooperation between the Chamber and the Ministry represents a platform for attracting foreign investments, as well as connecting with the economy and the scientific research community outside of Montenegro.

“As we recognize the cooperation between the scientific research community and the business world as a strategic priority, and accordingly we create and market programs that will lead to sustainable partnerships”, Šćepanović is convinced.

On June 6, at the “Open with the Prime Minister” event, the American Chamber of Commerce signed an umbrella Memorandum of Cooperation on the “Rule of Dialogue” program. Later, cooperation continued with the signing of Memorandums with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism. The goal is to achieve cooperation with all relevant ministries that can contribute to the improvement of the business environment.