The Montenegrin Investment Agency proudly announces the successful completion of the first EU–Montenegro Investment Conference, “Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro,” which brought together leading domestic and international stakeholders, investors, institutions, and companies. Held from October 13–15 at The Chedi Hotel, Luštica Bay, the conference was part of the Accelerating Investment in Montenegro (AIM) project and of Montenegro’s broader vision of integrating into European investment flows.

The conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In their opening remarks, Prime Minister Spajić and President von der Leyen highlighted the importance of sustainable development, innovation, and the green transition as drivers of Montenegro’s future economic growth, emphasizing that joint European investments are the best path toward creating new jobs and strengthening the country’s competitiveness.

Prime Minister Spajić stressed that Montenegro continues to strengthen its partnership with the European Union through concrete projects and investments that contribute to smart growth and job creation, while Ursula von der Leyen underlined that the European Commission sees Montenegro as a reliable partner in the Western Balkans — an example of a country successfully combining economic reforms with green and digital transformations.

“My message is very clear: don’t wait for accession to invest in Montenegro, because by then you might miss the opportunities that others will seize,” said President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing that the strong presence of investors at the conference reflects confidence in the government’s ambitious reform agenda. She concluded that Montenegro, by continuing on its European path with determination and speed, is making EU membership an achievable goal.

During the conference, nine memorandums of cooperation and an Investment Declaration were signed and presented during the opening ceremony, laying the foundation for future investments in energy, transport, infrastructure, and innovative technologies:

1. Wizz Air and the Ministry of Transport of Montenegro – opening 14 new air routes and establishing an operational base in Podgorica.
2. Akuo Energy and EPCG – development of renewable energy projects, including the first 70 MW floating solar power plant.
3. Alcazar Energy and the Government of Montenegro – construction of the “Bijela” wind farm with a capacity of 118.8 MW.
4. EDF and the Ministry of Energy of Montenegro – modernization of the electricity grid.
5. CWP Europe and the Montenegro Investment Agency (MIA) – development of a large solar park.
6. Gravert Jenny and Cevo Solar – construction of an energy storage system with a capacity of 60 MWh / 20 MW.
7. SS&A Power Group and EPCG – development and implementation of thermal energy storage technology.
8. Wind Fisher and EPCG – implementation of high-altitude wind energy technology.
9. EBRD and Erste Bank – regional energy efficiency program and the Women in Business initiative.
10. Suez – Declaration on Sustainable Investments – improvement of wastewater management systems.

Four strategic investment initiatives were also presented:

1. Farm2Fork Montenegro – sustainable transformation of Montenegro’s food system, in cooperation with Voli, EBRD, CDP, and Italian agri-industrial partners.
2. Station M – creation of a digital and innovation hub in Podgorica, in cooperation with Deutsche Telekom, Crnogorski Telekom, Plug & Play, the Science and Technology Park, and the Capital City of Podgorica.
3. NextPort Bar / Green Logistics Hub – positioning the Port of Bar as a regional center for green logistics and low-carbon transition.
4. NICER – Northern Investment Compact for Ecology and Resilience – development of green energy, wood processing, tourism, and sustainable industry projects in northern Montenegro.

All of these initiatives remain open to additional stakeholders who can contribute to their development.

At the conference “Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro” a Declaration on Sustainable Investments for Montenegro was also signed between the Government of Montenegro, the European Commission, the EBRD, and the Foreign Investors Council, reaffirming their shared commitment to sustainable development and Montenegro’s European path.

The conference included plenary sessions, panel discussions, and B2B meetings across various sectors: energy, sustainable agriculture and tourism, infrastructure, and digital connectivity.

Representing the Government of Montenegro, the panelists included:
Milojko Spajić (Prime Minister of Montenegro), Admir Šahmanović (Minister of Energy and Mining), Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović (Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation), Maja Vukićević (Minister of Transport), and Ernad Suljević (Minister of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with NGOs). Majda Adžović (Minister of Public Works) served as co-moderator of the Strategic Investment Roundtable, which gathered over fifty investors and representatives of leading companies from key sectors — agribusiness, logistics, sustainable energy, and digital innovation.

The two-day conference demonstrated that Montenegro enjoys strong support from European partners and international investors. The signed agreements, established partnerships, and clearly defined initiatives confirm that Montenegro is becoming a dynamic destination for green, digital, and sustainable investments.

Mirjana Kojić, Acting Director of the Montenegrin Investment Agency, stated that “the engagement, partnerships, and concrete outcomes of the conference are proof that Montenegro is becoming a bridge between European investments and regional development.”

Montenegrin Investment Agency will, in the coming period, coordinate the implementation of the signed agreements and provide support to investors in the realization of projects of mutual interest.