The Assistant Director of the Montenegrin Investment Agency, Mr. Andrej Lakić, had a meeting today with the Ambassador of Italy, Mr. Luka Zelioli, at the premises of the Agency. The aim of the meeting was to present the investment potential of Montenegro, to present separately the sectors that may be attractive for investment to foreign investors, as well as to exchange experiences regarding investor requirements and how the state can provide them with better support.

Assistant Director Andrej Lakić presented the scope of work of the Agency and pointed out that, according to its competencies, the Agency is a catalyst for new business opportunities and the first meeting point for foreign investors in Montenegro. Furthermore Mr. Lakić presented the key advantages of the investment environment in Montenegro as well as the reasons why Montenegro decided to use the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model more and more intensively. He also pointed out the importance of direct Italian investments, which are always among the first.

Ambassador Luka Zelioli expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries, adding that numerous strategic projects testify to the strength of friendly and modern relations between Montenegro and Italy. Hence to it, he pointed out the role played by “Confindustria Crna Gora” – an association that represents the largest number of Italian companies in Montenegro – which was founded with the aim of being an address for all Italian businessmen looking for business opportunities in Montenegro, meeting their demands for better and a more efficient way.

Representatives of the Agency presented the investment potentials of Montenegro as well as the Program for Improving the Competitiveness of the Economy for 2021, which envisages the implementation of seven Program lines of financial and non-financial support. The sectors of tourism, energy, furniture production, IT sector as well as the food industry sector have been identified as key sectors that could be of interest to Italian investors, and which should be presented to the Italian market.

By the end of the meeting It was concluded that the relations between Montenegro and the Republic of Italy are traditionally friendly, accompanied by meaningful and intensive cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level, additionally accompanied by strengthened and intensive dialogue at the highest political and working level- elements that will improve future cooperation.