He believes Montenegro could become a financial center in the Balkans, with estimates that most profit would come from investments in real estate, banking and tourism.
“Montenegro is a small country, located in the heart of Europe, and I think it’s your destiny to be open to the world. Today the world is changing very fast and people are often determined by one thing in life they cannot influence, and it is the place of birth and citizenship. Over the next five years, Montenegro could attract business contacts, world leaders and foreign investment, and also have these people call Montenegro their home. I think it’s a win-win situation for both sides. If the program is properly set up, it can be sustainable in the coming years”, he said.
He explains how, in terms of investment, it is important that a country is member of the EU and NATO.
“Every investor looks at the greatest risk elements in any foreign country. Membership in NATO and the European Union means to them there are policies that will keep their investments safer. It helps them adapt and be efficient, so that their investment is worthwhile. I think for those who are part of the “Citizen of the World” movement, EU membership is definitely more important. Your passport and citizenship will be the same as any of the 28 member states. It is very important to implement the program in line with what other EU states are doing, so as not to endanger the membership. Now is the time to do it properly and if it is in line with EU standards, you will have a guarantee program for five to ten years”, said Arton.
It is a fact Montenegro is a small country with a small market. Arton believes branding is what should be improved in order to attract foreign investors.
“If you want to attract the elite and be the next Monte Carlo, the experience must begin from the moment one lands at the airport. So, the picture of the airport, infrastructure, roads that will take you to this magical place where we are right now. That’s why this is important… Of course, once you are here, you will forget about the things that you have experienced to get here, but why not get the full experience from beginning to the end. These are the elements that your government should invest in, and sometimes, it is not so expensive. It’s the little things that make a big difference in the experience”, says Arton.
He speaks about his personal opinion of the position of Montenegro regarding business barriers:
“As I said, NATO is an important element, because it will bring a level of trust in the country, then the level of anti-corruption initiatives that make a country sympathetic to foreign investors. Low taxes are a very important element when people are deciding where to invest, and it is generally important how investors are treated. I believe this is an issue in a lot of countries in Europe and in the Balkans, starting with Romania, Bulgaria, and that part of the Eastern Bloc. There is a lot of effort to learn how to deal with foreign investors in order to treat them as loyal, so that they stay and speak positively when they leave. Unfortunately, there are more cases in which things went wrong for foreign investors, than the successful ones. Of course, Canadian Peter Munk is a successful example, but I know of five who have not had such a good experience. It is the effort of both sides, the government and the business community, on how to negotiate with foreign investors”, said Arton.
