The American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro hosted the round table ‘’Foreign Direct Investments and Their Influence on National Economies’’ on September 24, 2012. The event, which was attended by a number of AmCham members, ministries, the US Embassy and business associations, aimed to enable participants to exchange views regarding the influence of large foreign companies on the overall economy of Montenegro.

For this purpose, Coca-Cola Hellenic Montenegro invited the Head of the Department for Political Economy at INSEAD – Professor Ethan Kapstein, who presented a case study outlining the impact of Coca Cola’s success on countries within the EU.  He also emphasized multiplied effects of Coca Cola’s activities through supply chains, skills development and job creation. In addition to that, General Director of Coca-Cola Hellenic for Serbia and Montenegro Mr. Ramon Weidinger underlined the importance of predictability for enabling companies to make the right decisions when operating in markets and adjusting their visions accordingly.

Deputy Finance Minister of Montenegro, Ms. Biljana Šćekić pointed out that business climate factors and promoting the investment possibilities are relevant preconditions for attracting foreign investors. She placed special emphasis on beneficial tax rates, equal conditions for local and foreign companies, as well as efficient administration, as milestones of the competitive business environment of Montenegro.

The conclusion of the round table is that foreign direct investments are important drivers for the development of national economies, and that the state should keep its policy towards ensuring sustainable business environment, stimulating enough to attract further investments.