Key aspects relevant for analysis of economic benefits were presented during the roundtable.
Executive director of AmCham Montenegro Marko Miročević said that NATO invitation and participation in NATO Summit is an encouragement for foreign investors, because it sends a positive signal that Montenegro is a safe and stable destination for business.
“Safe, stable and predictable business environment is a key to Montenegro’s economic progress. Only that type of structure enables new investments”, Miročević said.
Miročević spoke of new possibilities for private sector when Montenegro becomes a member of NATO.
“They will be able to participate in public calls within NATO and export using their program. These are possibilities, not certainties. Business sector in Montenegro must proactively look for membership benefits”, Miročević said.
US Ambassador Margaret Uyehara said that NATO membership means open possibilities that ask for active engagement from business sector. NATO community values rule of law, transparency and good management.
“Democratic leadership, anti corruption measures and dedication to rule of law are key parts of open society. In the long term, new investments represent a good basis for opening new job opportunities, infrastructure development and better life standard for citizens. NATO membership is an important step for Montenegro on the international scene”, she said.
Ambassador underscored the work of AmCham, that works with business, state and media. She said that President Obama sent a note to the Senate so that they can ratify Montenegro’s Accession Protocol as soon as possible.
Ambassador of Hungary, Montenegro’s contact country for NATO, Kristijan Poša, took a look at historical, political and economic aspect of NATO membership.
Poša said that Montenegro took the greatest leap in the region. He said that Montenegro has all the chances to become NATO member in 2017, but that there is still a lot of work to be done.
“You have independent state, institutions that are ready for investors, but you must attract investors as well”, he said.
Minister of Economy Vladimir Kavarić said that NATO membership brings a guarantee of sovereignty.
“With Montenegro in NATO, Montenegrin companies get a chance to participate in public tenders of NATO, that have over 700 billion dollars budget a year. There are special procedures for applying, so the businesses should be vigilant in looking for opportunities. By winning tenders, companies could grow and develop. When it comes to products, Montenegro codified more than 70% of them”, Kavarić said.
Director of Stratex Development Montenegro, Daren Evans, thinks that NATO membership creates a climate of expectations in foreign investors in terms of stability, growth and development.
Rule of law must be firm, contract law, private property and anti corruption regulations strong.
“Investments must be protected“, Evans said.
According to him, NATO membership is good marketing for Montenegro as a business country.
“Early entrance into a new market brings more revenue to investors in the future”, he added.
Roundtable NATO membership – a chance for economy and business was concluded with a discussion between state representatives, diplomats and business sector. Their message is for private sector to use all the possibilities NATO membership offers.
