April 17,2014 – Round table to the topic ’South-East Development Strategy 2020’ (SEE Strategy) was held in organization of the Ministry of Economy – Directorate for Multilateral and Regional Trade Cooperation and Economic Foreign Relations in Hotel Ramada, Podgorica.

The Round table was in attendance of the following representatives: Directorate for Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Agency for the Protection of Competition, Intelectual Property Office of Montenegro, Public Procurement Administration, Energy Regulatory Agency, Statistical Office of Montenegro, Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, Montenegro Business Alliance, Montenegrin Investment Promotion Agency (MIPA), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Institute of Public Health and Customs Administration of Montenegro,

Introduction speeches were given by Mr Goran Šćepanović, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Economy; Mr Alan Paić and Ms Anita Richter, OECD representatives; and Ms Dragana Đurica, Regional council project leader.

SEE Strategy 2020 represents significant segment concerning the new approaches in settlement of the current challenges arised to the European Integration path, and the definition of the development process for the South-East Europe aiming to attain sustainable economic development of high quality, and at the same time to encourage economic growth of the region, higher level of prosperity and new job creation through the regional cooperation strengthening and tight bonds with the EU.

The strategy is clearly focused on improving the competitiveness of Southeast Europe.

Round table priority objective was as efficiently as possible to present key measures and activities of the Strategy, which will be implemented in the future.

Following to the discussion held, and the feedback information provided by the round table participants, representatives of the relevant Ministries, business organizations and associations that are responsible for the main areas of the Strategy and in relation to investments, trade, employment and social issues, science, energy, environmental protection, the following measures chosen upon voting by the above mentioned have to be implemented until the end of 2014:

– Increasing connections between the Sectors of Culture and Tourism
– Improving access to finance for Small and Medium Size Enterprises;
– Introduction of screening for alcohol in the Health Centres of Montenegro;
– Develop measures for improving the safety on the roads;
– Implementation of energy plan

These measures are not final, but the option was given to all institutional representatives who attended the roundtable to submit their comments and suggestions in written form to the Ministry of Economy, which will, follow to the consultations with representatives of the OECD decide which measures will be selected for implementation by the end of 2014.

Public Procurement Administration representative to the Round Table was Farisa Kurpejović, Senior Adviser in the PPA.