January 11, 2019 - Among many Turkish investors operating in Montenegro, there is the owner of a Turkish national food restaurant in Podgorica. Baris Bidav told TVCG that he came to Montenegro, first of all, because of the favorable business environment, which enabled him to open the company in a brief time, such as lower taxes and, according to him, more comfortable living conditions.
Two years ago, Bidav came to Montenegro for a holiday.
"I realized that this is a country where I can stay. Then I came here for three months. I did nothing. I was just looking and exploring the market," Bidav said.
A few months ago, this research yielded fruit. Baris opened the Turkish national restaurant in Podgorica.
"I decided to open a restaurant here because I saw it was missing. I came with my cook, and we started making Turkish dishes," he says.
But Barish is not the only Turk who came to Montenegro for business. Since 2017, the number of companies whose founders are Turkish citizens is multiplying.
"In 2015, we had only 29 companies registered by Turkish citizens. During 2016 - 71 companies, while in 2017 there were 435 registered subjects. When it comes to 2018, this figure is drastically higher, and it is about 1,545 entities founded by the Turkish citizens," said Milica Vuletić from the Tax Administration.
When everything is gathered, the Turkish citizens in Montenegro have a stake in 2.097 companies. Most of them are opened in Budva, just over a thousand, then in Podgorica and Tivat. For now, the tax is paid on a regular basis. "In 2017, they made two million and 600 thousand, and in 2018 that figure doubled. So, we have a charge of five million and 300 thousand euros," said Vuletic. It is precisely the payment of these taxes that led Barisha to Montenegro. He says that in Turkey, where he still has a production house, he pays as much as 48 taxes.
"Why did I come from Turkey? Because three conditions are very useful for foreigners - one of the reasons is to open the company in a very short time and get a work permit. The second reason is the amount of tax, which is low compared to our standards and we saw the possibility of an easier business in Montenegro. The third reason is a small country and easier living conditions," says Barish.
While living in Istanbul, Barish spent almost four hours traveling go to work and returning home. That's why he's surprised why Montenegrins complain about traffic jams.
"Turkey has a lot of people. Montenegro has very few inhabitants, and that is why life is slower, while in Turkey it runs faster," he says.
He also points out that the business we finish in five business days is done in Turkey in one day.
"Montenegrins are not very fast. You're a bit slower, but it comes from a geographic position, and if you do not work quickly it will not have a greater impact on your business," he said.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Montenegro, at present, 4,187 Turks reside in the country. There are still more Chinese and Russians, and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
Text by RTCG, on January 10th, 2019, read more at CdM
