The Montenegrin government has approved two support programs totalling €3.8 million: the €3.5 million Program for Enhancing Business Competitiveness and the €300,000 Program for the Development and Promotion of Craftsmanship.
During a press conference following the government session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development, Nik Đeljošaj, explained that the Competitiveness Program aims to further develop micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing their productivity to create a more resilient, competitive, and export-oriented economy. The program includes three support lines: improving production capacities in the food industry, supporting female entrepreneurship, and encouraging sustainable healthcare development.
Đeljošaj highlighted that this year’s program is focused on the food industry, with a fully digitalized and transparent application process. He encouraged entrepreneurs to apply, noting that last year, the program was successfully implemented without any complaints. The same program in 2024 offered €3 million for four support lines, including small investments, digitalization, and support for women and youth in business.
Additionally, the government continues its support for craftsmanship through a €300,000 program aimed at helping artisans with equipment and materials, with individual grants reaching up to €14,000.
While Đeljošaj mentioned the continuation of the Limited Prices Program, he added that more details would be shared once it is officially presented to the government. As for the anticipated alignment of market prices across the country, he emphasized that the full impact of these programs on domestic production would become visible by the end of this year or next. Regarding the reduced VAT for fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, Đeljošaj stated that discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to ensure a thorough analysis of the fiscal impact before implementing any changes.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
