The “Business Forum Agenda 2025”, scheduled for tomorrow in Podgorica, represents a key platform for dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors, announced Gordana Bošković, Head of PR and Marketing at the Union of Employers of Montenegro (UPCG).
Bošković stated that UPCG will continue to advocate for policies that promote the competitiveness and development of Montenegro’s economy.
Speaking on the “Bojama Jutra” program on Television Vijesti, Bošković announced that UPCG will present the “Business Agenda 2025” at tomorrow’s event, a key document for the future development of the real sector. The agenda provides guidance for the development of Montenegro’s economy up to 2030.
Bošković highlighted that the document addresses ten key challenges facing Montenegro’s economy, including one of the biggest issues—informal or “gray” economy.
“All the measures included in the Business Agenda and other analyses aim to formalize the economy. Our task is to promote the benefits of formalizing businesses while also warning about the dangers of staying in the gray zone. In the long term, this harms not only us but also future generations,” Bošković warned.
She emphasized that supporting the formalization process requires implementing a range of measures from the state system, including improving the regulatory framework and ensuring its consistent application.
“Additionally, tax incentives for new businesses, increased access to financing—especially for micro and small enterprises—and promoting formalization through media support and dialogue between the real and public sectors are necessary,” Bošković said.
She also pointed out other challenges Montenegro faces, such as digital transformation and the green transition, which are central topics in the European Commission’s policies.
However, as she stressed, the question remains as to how digitally literate citizens are and how prepared they are to adapt to technological changes.
“We can implement digital platforms and modernize the public administration and economy, but if citizens are not ready to use them, the real effectiveness of such changes is questionable. Extensive research on digital literacy is needed to get a clear picture of the current situation and future needs,” Bošković added.
One of the most pressing issues, according to Bošković, is the inefficiency of public administration, with one in three employees working in the public sector.
“We must seriously consider the qualifications of public administration employees, their work experience, and the issue of institutional memory. It’s also crucial to investigate how much experienced staff has left the public administration, the reasons behind it, and who now provides key services to citizens,” Bošković noted.
Another key area that UPCG emphasizes is the quality of the workforce and the alignment of the educational system with labor market needs.
Bošković pointed out the importance of analyzing whether people are working in fields related to their education and whether there is an adequate system for retraining and further education.
The business forum, which will gather over 120 participants tomorrow, will provide an opportunity to discuss these topics in detail with the support of institutional representatives, companies, and the prime minister.
“The forum is an important step towards implementing the planned measures and activities by 2030. With the support of relevant institutions and the business community, we believe we can improve the business environment and enable sustainable economic growth,” Bošković concluded.
