Accelerated regional economic cooperation and the implementation of the Action Plan for a common regional market offer significant benefits to Montenegro. As a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), Montenegro can enhance trade, boost the competitiveness of its economy, and prepare for European Union integration. CEFTA’s initiatives, including simplified customs procedures, trade digitalization, and harmonized regulations, allow Montenegrin companies faster access to regional and European markets, while reducing logistics costs and benefiting consumers with better products at lower prices.
The recently adopted decisions aim to create a more efficient market by facilitating the movement of goods within CEFTA, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring better conditions for businesses. These measures help consumers by providing a wider range of products and better protection in online shopping, such as lower delivery costs and improved consumer rights.
Additionally, CEFTA’s efforts in e-commerce, including the elimination of unjustified geo-blocking and standardized rules for online trade, contribute to an improved business environment and regional cooperation. A key component of CEFTA’s strategy is the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, which simplifies customs processes and supports small and medium-sized enterprises by reducing logistical costs and providing greater delivery predictability.
CEFTA’s new Action Plan for the Common Regional Market (2025-2028) aims to boost trade, attract investments, and accelerate the region’s integration into the EU’s single market. This initiative also targets the reduction of high delivery costs for parcels, enhanced consumer protection, and easier access for travel agencies and tour operators to multiple markets, improving the region’s tourism offerings.
These actions represent crucial steps in making CEFTA a more efficient and integrated market, offering tangible benefits for businesses and consumers in the region.
