Montenegro - UK Chevening Business Forum 2016
Joining forces to boost attractiveness and business environment.
Chevening scholars who organised the
The first-ever Montenegro-UK Chevening Business Forum 2016 gathered government and international officials, business-people, and guests from Montenegro, the UK, and the region for talks about the business environment in Montenegro and making the country more attractive for British and other foreign investment. The event took place in Tivat, Montenegro on 5-6 February 2016 and was launched by Mr Igor Luksic, President of the Council for Improvement of Business Environment, Regulatory, and Structural Reforms and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Montenegro.
Mr Igor Luksic, President of the Council for Improvement of Business Environment, Regulatory, and Structural Reforms and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Montenegro opening "Montenegro - UK Chevening Business Forum 2016"
In his opening remarks, Mr Luksic spoke about the Government’s main priorities in attracting foreign business, such as improving the macro-economic indicators and institutional stability and introducing structural reforms and entrepreneurial education. The other keynote speaker was British Ambassador to Montenegro Ian Whitting, who emphasised the importance of the Forum for linking up British and Montenegrin knowledge and experience in attracting more UK businesses to Montenegro.
Ambassador Ian Whitting, OBE opening "Montenegro - UK Chevening Business Forum 2016"
Panel 1 (Business Environment in Montenegro) discussed legislation and administrative procedures and the ways to improve them in order to boost FDI and entrepreneurship in the country. It was noted that Montenegro needs long-term urban planning, improved rule of law and judicial efficiency, and better cooperation between central and local governments. Panel speakers were Bojana Boskovic, Secretary of the Council for Improvement of Business Environment, Regulatory, and Structural Reforms, Montenegro, Rachel Holloway, Assistant Director at Better Regulation Delivery Office, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, United Kingdom, and Vesna Dakovic, Economic Advisor at Montenegro Business Alliance.
Panel 2 (Challenges and Business Success Stories) presented some notable British and international business success stories in Montenegro and the incentives and challenges they have faced along the road. Panel speakers gave their view on the business environment, quality, and productivity of the labour force, emphasising the need for better educational system. They concluded that the main underlying problems for investors are the questions of stability of law. Panellists were Larry Bartel, Head of Knightsbridge International School Montenegro, Branislav Simovic, General Manager of Mace Montenegro, and Tony Browne, Marina Director at Porto Montenegro.
Panel 3 (Regional Business Synergies) addressed the potential of regional business cooperation and possibilities of attracting UK investment in light of the EBRD conference in London in May 2016. Several most attractive industries were identified, such as local agriculture, sustainable energy production, SMEs, and tourism. Lessons were shared about UK communication campaigns aimed at boosting visibility and the region’s comparative advantages such as cheaper and skilled labour force. Speakers were Giulio Moreno, Head of EBRD Montenegro, Tricia Quiller-Croasdell, Head of Campaigns at Prime Minister’s Office, UK Government, Ivan Saveljic, Vice President at the Chamber of Economy Montenegro, and Ruzica Jajcevic, Project Manager at the British Business Centre Croatia (BBCC).
The Montenegro-UK Chevening Business Forum 2016 was organised by the UK Alumni Association of Montenegro (MAUK) with the help of the British Embassy Podgorica and the Chevening Foundation. MAUK is a non-profit organisation of Montenegrin professionals with UK higher education degrees which runs projects aimed at boosting Montenegro-UK relations and exchange in education, culture, and business.
For any questions about our project work in Podgorica, contact our Projects team.