Business Cooperation and Product Uniqueness: The Key to Competitiveness
Montenegro’s accession to the European Union will bring new opportunities for the country’s economy, but also additional challenges and stronger competition. Companies must therefore prepare well to operate in the EU Single Market. This was the message delivered at the panel discussion entitled “Montenegro’s Economy on the Day of EU Accession”, held as part of the B4EU initiative – Preparing Montenegro’s Economy for European Union Membership – organised by the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro and the Ministry of European Affairs.
In her opening remarks, which she also moderated, Professor Gordana Đurović, PhD, stressed that the aim of this series of meetings was to encourage dialogue between institutions and the business community, raise issues of importance to companies and help find solutions to the challenges facing Montenegro’s economy on its path to EU accession. She emphasised the importance of considering what the first day of membership would look like, particularly changes to trade relations, customs procedures and business conditions.
“EU accession will bring changes to the existing trade regime, requiring companies to adapt to the new rules, standards and requirements of the Single Market. At the same time, changes in trade flows may create opportunities to find new partners and develop business cooperation,” Đurović said.
Copyright: Chamber of Commerce
President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Dr Nina Drakić, said EU membership would change the business environment from day one, stressing that an accession treaty would not secure competitiveness but that it had to be built well in advance. Membership would simplify certain business operations, but companies would also have to adapt the way they record transactions and demonstrate compliance. She identified a significant challenge in ensuring that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those with limited financial and human resources, could successfully navigate the adjustment process.
“We should welcome the first day of membership as the beginning of a business opportunity for which we have already prepared, rather than as the date on which we only begin learning the rules,” the President said.
Copyright: Chamber of Commerce
Drakić stressed the need to establish an operational framework to prepare the business community, ensuring every company knows which rules it must comply with, what support is available, and what steps it needs to take next. This would require joint efforts by businesses, the Government and European partners, as well as capable institutions and clear deadlines.
The Chamber of Commerce aims to advance this process through the B4EU initiative, by sharing knowledge, conducting sectoral analyses, developing international partnerships and implementing concrete development projects.
“The priorities are to assess preparedness, build the capacity of people and institutions, and develop concrete projects. Membership will be an important historical achievement, but its economic success will depend on what we do before the first day,” she said.
She added: “The success of this process should not be measured solely by the number of regulations adopted or panel discussions held, but by the number of companies that have increased their exports, modernised their operations, created new jobs and become part of European value chains. The goal is not simply for Montenegro to join the European Union, but also for the Montenegrin economy to be capable of operating successfully within it from day one,” the President of the Chamber of Commerce said.
Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, said that, for Montenegro’s economy, the success of European integration would be measured by how prepared domestic companies were to operate in the Single Market and make use of EU funds from the first day of membership.
“That is why preparing for membership must already be a joint undertaking by institutions and the business community. Companies need to meet European standards, projects must be ready, and we need a reliable administration capable of supporting their operations. The B4EU programme should help companies use the time remaining before accession to make concrete preparations, enabling them to turn new opportunities into investment, exports and jobs,” Gorčević said.
The Minister stressed that closing negotiating chapters involved aligning with rules that directly affect day-to-day business operations, from the provision of services and the movement of capital to public procurement, competition, and consumer protection.
She emphasised that companies should also prepare well in advance for the changes to the trade regime that membership would bring, including Montenegro’s withdrawal from CEFTA, and begin developing relationships with European customers and partners.
Regarding EU funds, Gorčević pointed out that greater access to funding would require trained personnel, efficient procedures and high-quality project documentation. Accordingly, alongside strengthening institutions, it was necessary to build the capacity of municipalities and businesses to develop projects, apply for funding and secure their own co-financing contributions. This would help ensure that membership benefits reached businesses and local communities from the first years.
Copyright: Chamber of Commerce
Ambassador of the EU to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, said that EU membership would open the door for Montenegrin businesses to a market of almost 450 million consumers. However, he noted that market access alone does not guarantee success.
“Companies must start preparing today by improving their competitiveness, adopting European standards and investing in innovation. The EU is already supporting this transformation through funding, reforms, and infrastructure projects, and much has already been achieved. Our shared goal is to ensure that Montenegrin companies are ready to seize the opportunities offered by membership from day one,” Sattler said.
Copyright: Chamber of Commerce
Reflecting on Slovenia’s EU accession experience, Robert Rakar, Director of the Koper-based Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Primorska, highlighted the importance of providing companies with timely information and preparing them for membership.
He stressed that Montenegro’s business community should use the period before accession to improve the quality of its products and services, digitalise business operations, strengthen competitiveness and establish new partnerships.
“The most important thing now is to make the most of the time available and prepare your companies. It is not enough simply to have a product that can be sold on the European market. You must also ensure quality, supply the required quantities, provide the necessary documentation, and meet deadlines. The European market offers significant opportunities, but it demands professionalism and consistency,” Rakar said, drawing on Slovenia’s experience.
He emphasised that companies should not rely exclusively on the EU market, but should continue developing cooperation with partners in the region and in third countries.
Copyright: Chamber of Commerce
Rakar concluded that Montenegrin companies could significantly improve their operations and prepare for the new conditions by using support from the Chamber of Commerce and available business development programmes.
The discussion concluded that preparing for EU membership involved much more than formal alignment with legislation. It required strategic planning, investment in quality and productivity, and cooperation between institutions and the business community to ensure that Montenegrin companies were as well prepared as possible for accession and could take full advantage of the opportunities it would bring.