ZAGREB, February 13, 2019 – There are numerous possibilities for strengthening economic cooperation between Croatia and Montenegro, notably in the energy sector, transport, construction and tourism, it was said at a Croatian-Montenegrin business forum, held at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) in Zagreb on Wednesday.
“Cooperation possibilities between Montenegro and Croatia have not been adequately used so far. Even though it has been growing, their trade is too modest considering their proximity to one another. But as evidenced by the presence of representatives of more than 100 companies at today’s forum, opportunity always prevails over difficulty in the business sector,” said HGK vice-president Ivan Barbarić.
Barbarić said that despite connectivity problems, there was room for closer cooperation in energy and transport, notably the renovation of railway carriages, as well as in construction, port and marina reconstruction, the IT sector and tourism.
“About 20 Croatian companies and representations are active in Montenegro. In the first 11 months of 2018 we recorded a 15% increase in exports, but we believe that we can do much better,” said Barbarić.
The head of the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, Ivan Saveljić, said that he was confident that there were numerous business opportunities that should be used to promote the economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Montenegro is oriented to the region and naturally, to European integration processes, and on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration we can use the experiences gathered by Croatia, which has just completed that process,” Saveljić said, underlining the possibility of cooperation in environmental protection and energy efficiency and joint participation in NATO tenders.
The Zagreb forum, organised by the HGK and the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, also included business-to-business talks.
More news on the business and other relations between Croatia and the neighbouring Montenegro can be found in the Business section.
