Prime Minister, Duško Marković, said to the businessmen today that the economic results of the Government in the last two years were impressive. He thinks that the most important positive result is the fact that around 11.000 new jobs were created, that inspection services achieved great results, that our tourism is breaking the records and that the Government is thinking about reducing labor burden and increasing minimum wages.
Almost 11.000 new jobs were created
“For two years already, Montenegrin economy has been growing by a rate of above 4,5%. Such a small economy, faced with so many challenges, with transitional aspect, records economic growth that is among the highest in Europe”, said the PM.
Public finances considerably improved. However, the PM is most satisfied with growth in employment and the fact that around 11.000 new jobs have been created.
In February of 2017, unemployment rate amounted 22,46%. On 20 February 2019, it amounts 16,61%.
As far as tourism is concerned, PM pointed out that we had by 30% more tourists than in the same period last year. Financial revenues increased by 43%.
“Our objective is to keep up with this growth trend, new investments, employment and, of course, higher standard of citizens”, said Mr.Marković.
Speaking of fight against grey economy, Marković said that successful economic and financial policy was the result of reinforced work of inspection services, despite the lack of capacities.
“That’s why I personally took over the coordination with inspection services in battling grey economy and informal market. This way, we are going to create a motivational environment, where professionalism will be in the focus and where people will understand how much that is important for the future of Montenegro and the citizens”, said the PM.
He said that the focus of attention must be put on those who perform their business illegally.
Job should be given to those who want to work and know their work
Asked about the forthcoming steps in strengthening transparency, Mr. Marković said that he himself often draws attention to the necessity of bigger transparency. He said that he would deal with that matter with more attention.
“Employment relationship must be a model where the job will be given to those who need it and to those who know the work”, said the PM.
He added that he was considering the possibility of reducing, or even eliminating income tax burden for those companies which re-invest their revenue.
“I think we’ll come up with some concrete suggestion very soon. I believe that there will be an increase in minimum wages and reduction in tax burden rate that will relax the employers a little and increase the standard and salaries for the employees”, said the PM.
A scourge of illegal construction
President of the Government said that the results of new legal solutions in relation to the protection of space are already visible. However, they expect even better results.
“For me, a law doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t bring positive changes. We have identified 50.000 informal structures, i.e. we got as many legalization requests. We must find solution for this, quickly”, said the PM.
He’s determined bring illegal construction to an end but he pointed out the need for judicial power and local administration to intervene.
“The only thing I’m interested in is the result. I want to see the result. I don’t want to see “wild” structures. I don’t want to see them anywhere. Not everything is up to us, we must have active role of a prosecutor and courts”, said the PM, adding that he sees illegal construction as a scourge.
Public administration is huge and expensive
Asked about the digitalization, the PM said that the state administration had to be reformed, rationalized and modernized.
“Our public administration is expensive. It’s huge. We have to respond to that. The answer is not in the laws and implementation only. We’re working actively on finding the sources for reduction of public administration”, said Mr. Marković.
He also spoke about the environment protection and said that opening Chapter 27 was very important. Montenegro can’t develop and be a sustainable economy if we don’t do everything we need to protect the environment.
