More than sixty Croatian and Montenegrin entrepreneurs gathered on Friday at the Croatian-Montenegrin Economic Forum held at the Croatian Chamber of Economy. The forum was part of a two-day visit by the Montenegrin economic delegation to Croatia, with 33 companies from both Croatian and Montenegrin sides participating in the fields of tourism, energy, construction, food industry, insurance, banking, and transport.
The present entrepreneurs were greeted by the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Croatia, Branko Vukelić, and the Minister for Economic Development of Montenegro, Branimir Gvozdenović. – Cooperation between Croatian and Montenegrin entrepreneurs is becoming increasingly qualitative, šas evidenced by the fact that this is already the second economic forum of our entrepreneurs in a two-month period. I expect the greatest cooperation between Montenegro and Croatia in the field of tourism, but also in construction. However, we must work the most on the unbalanced trade exchange. Croatia is, in fact, in third place in trade exchange in Montenegro, while Montenegro ranks seventh in Croatia.
Specifically, Croatian exports to Montenegro amounted to 21.1 million euros, while exports from Montenegro to Croatia were 3.4 million euros – said Gvozdenović. He emphasized that cooperation will be even better as the Montenegrin economy is significantly progressing. Four years ago, there were about 80,000 unemployed in Montenegro, and now that number has fallen to 41,000 unemployed. Minister of Economy Branko Vukelić emphasized that Croatia provides full support to Montenegro regarding the improvement of the economy and that cooperation between the two neighboring countries is further facilitated by geographical proximity, mutual acquaintance, and a shared European perspective, as well as Montenegro’s membership in the CEFTA association. (Ana Marija Ruždjak)
