By implementing this project, Montenegro will make significant progress on its path to the EU by adopting the standards applied in the EU's internal market, enhancing the capacities of competent institutions and knowledge to take over membership obligations, said the Director of the Directorate for Investments, Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and management of EU funds, Radosav Babic, at a conference held today at the Center Ville Hotel on the occasion of the first meeting of the Board Committee.
With the support of IBF International Consulting from Belgium and the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro - Directorate for Financing and Contracting of EU Assistance (CFCU), the Ministry of Economy organized the first meeting of the EU Steering Committee "Technical Support for the harmonization and implementation of the acquis in the field of internal markets". The project is financed under the IPA II Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and will last for 24 months and until November 2020. The objective of the project is to facilitate trade and the development of the internal market by the requirements of the European Union acquis in Chapter 1 - Free Movement of Goods and Chapter 28 - Health and Consumer Protection
Babic emphasized the great significance of this project, primarily through the contribution that will be made to the harmonization of national legislation with the EU acquis, within two important negotiating chapters - Chapter 1: Unrestricted movement of goods and Chapter 28: Consumer and health protection, which will provide conditions necessary for the full harmonization of Montenegrin products in the field of standardization, market surveillance and other segments related to the unrestricted movement of goods, while at the same time the quality and safety of products will be in line with the high requirements of the Union.
"In this way, the project has added value for the citizens, providing conditions in obtaining quality and safe goods. On the other hand, Montenegrin producers will be able to market their products on the EU market without any barriers and thus promote the Montenegrin economy, improving competitiveness," said the general manager.
In the framework of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance IPA 2014-2020, out of the total budget of 270 million euros allocated for Montenegro, for projects aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the Montenegrin economy and the business environment in accordance with the negotiation process, EUR 18.9 million was committed. In this part, the Ministry of Economy plays an important role in its efforts to create a suitable environment for the efficient functioning of the internal market as one of the basic conditions for improving the work of Montenegrin companies.
Within the framework of future IPA support implemented by the Ministry of Economy, it is planned to implement projects that are complementary to the existing entrepreneurship and business incentive programs implemented by the Ministry of Economy, with a special emphasis on support aimed at creating new jobs, supporting young people, women in business, difference, support for priority sectors, and further development of the business community.
Apart from Babic, representatives of IBF International Consulting Stefano Sedola and Matjaz Logar also spoke at the press conference.
The total value of the project is 1,167,400 euros, out of which EU funding is 90% and national co-financing of 10%. The project is being implemented under the Annual Action Program Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance IPA for the year 2014.
Text by CdM, on January 15th, 2019, read more at CdM
