Maja Baćović, a professor at the Faculty of Economics, stated that the current trade relationship between Montenegro and China is significantly tilted in favor of China. Speaking at the conference “Economic Cooperation Between Montenegro and China”, she highlighted that Montenegro imports between 10-11% of its GDP from China, while its exports to China have notably decreased from 4% to 2% of GDP.
Baćović pointed out that the existing structure of Montenegro’s economy, where agriculture and manufacturing account for only 10% of GDP, limits the potential for a substantial increase in goods exports. However, she identified the possibility of enhancing Chinese foreign direct investment in Montenegro—currently low at around 2%—as a potential pathway for improvement.
She emphasized Montenegro’s significant agricultural potential, suggesting that foreign investments in this sector could not only increase production but also boost exports to China and other markets.
Furthermore, Baćović sees a promising opportunity for strengthening economic cooperation in the services sector, particularly tourism. Although Chinese tourists currently make up less than 10% of total tourist arrivals in Montenegro, this number is on the rise. With the increasing standard of living and purchasing power in China, there is considerable potential for attracting more Chinese tourists to Montenegro.
She also noted the growing interest among Chinese consumers in Mediterranean culture and wines. Baćović proposed that Montenegro could enhance its wine exports to China and develop attractive tourist packages centered around Mediterranean culture and winemaking to further entice Chinese visitors.
