The gathering, organized by the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) and the Communications team of the Council for NATO membership, hosted speakers such as representatives of economies and institutions of NATO member countries Slovenia and Croatia, alongside those from domestic companies who for their services and products use the NATO code, reports MINA agency.
Director of the PKCG, Velimir Mijušković, said that obtaining the NATO code opens the way to a large market which, in addition to companies from NATO states, includes another 38 countries who are not members.
According to him, although the most talked about aspect of any state’s membership in NATO is political and security-related, it is also important for the economy.
The perception of investors that a country is safe, he said, is extremely important.
“This effect is not insignificant”, he said, stressing the importance of foreign investors for the overall development of the economy.
Mijušković recalled that the first codification in Montenegro happened in 2011, stating that about 70 Montenegrin companies received the code.
National coordinator for NATO, Vesko Garčević, said that in the process of accession to NATO, focus is put on four key areas, adding that the economic aspect of this process is equally important.
“No less important is the issue the impact of membership on our economy”, said Garčevć.
He reminded NATO is not a financial organization, but that membership in the Alliance means Montenegro is a stable and safe country.
It is important for the business environment, Garčević evaluated, and it contributes to the increase of foreign investments any country needs for economic growth and reducing of unemployment.
Membership would have positive impact on tourism as well, he added, stressing the importance of NATO tenders for Montenegrin companies.
“The opening of such a market is also very important for companies from Montenegro”, said Garčević.
Entry into NATO, he added, affects the raising of the credit rating.
“Obtaining NATO code allows countries to participate in a large market”, he said recalling that until now, around 76 products were codified according to standards of the Alliance.
Director of Industry at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Tajana Kesic Sapic, indicated NATO is not only a military alliance, and that it represents a much broader concept when it comes to the economy.
“NATO supplies various goods and services using a number of mechanisms,” she said.
Kesic Sapic spoke to Montenegrin businessmen about opportunities to participate in NATO tenders, explaining that these are complicated and comprehensive processes.
To participate in NATO tenders, it is necessary to prepare the entire economic system, but also the companies. Companies applying to NATO tenders, she said, must be prepared for verification which includes security tests.
According to her, 54 Croatian companies so far applied for different NATO tenders, three of which did not pass the security check.
Kesic Sapic also spoke about the obstacles of companies from small countries such as Montenegro and Croatia.
She explained the way to win a tender would be through association and cooperation between companies. The reasons why this does not happen are many, from the venue and the lack of security clearance, to the short deadlines for applying to tenders.
Jože Lacka from the Ministry of Defense of Slovenia said that the procedure to obtain the code from NATO is complex, emphasizing the need for the harmonization with its standards.
To participate in this large market, it is necessary to prepare for it, and there are a number of issues that must be resolved, he said.
“It is important that the country becomes a member of NATO, harmonize its system with other states, so that the companies may submit their offers on tenders,” said Lacka.
He wished Montenegro a safe path to the big market of NATO.
“The road towards NATO market is the right way; it is a big market with money and regular payments,” said Lacka.
Executive director of the company Interproduct from Cetinje, Ivan Mijušković, said that the company expects to be able to place their products on the wholesale market, which became available to them after obtaining the NATO code a month ago. However, they haven’t yet started to place or sell their products.
“We see a great export opportunity in the future and expect the quality of our products is what will attract customers and consumers”, Mijušković said to the reporters.
He added it is not realistic to expect winning huge tenders and competing with large regional companies, but that power to succeed may be found in cooperation with other companies.
Aleksandra Milic, from the ‘Congress’ travel agency that specializes in congress tourism, said their company has been working with NATO for the last three years.
Milic said the agency received NATO code in December last year.
“We got the code because NATO recognized the quality we offered in preparation and implementation of their conferences. We annually organize three or four conferences and a dozen smaller gatherings”, Milic concluded.
