24 January 2019 - At today's session, the Government of Montenegro passed the Montenegro Economic Reform Programme 2019-2021, as the most important document in the economic dialogue with the European Union. The Economic Reform Programme is also a strategic document for medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal programming, which also contains the accompanying agenda of structural reforms necessary for reducing or eliminating obstacles to economic growth and strengthening competitiveness. Montenegro's strategic development goal defined by the programme is a sustainable and inclusive economic growth that will contribute to reducing the development gap about the EU average and increasing the quality of life of citizens. The programme is entirely consistent with the annual Budget Law and the Medium-Term Budget Framework, as well as the strategic development documents of Montenegro.
The Cabinet also passed the Agrobudget for 2019 amounting to 52.4 million EUR (31% more than last year).
Customs Tariff Regulation for 2019 was also approved, which specifies the level of customs rates for this year, in line with the dynamics established by the Law on the Confirmation of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro to the Marrakesh Agreement on the Establishment of the World Trade Organisation. The basic changes relate to the reduction of customs rates and changes in the nomenclature. Annex I of the Protocol on the Accession of Montenegro to the WTO for a certain number of products from the Customs Tariff (mainly agricultural products) defines the so-called "the ultimate upper boundary restriction," which represents the rate of duty to be applied by Montenegro up to a specific date on imports of those products. It is stipulated that the reduction of customs rates will be implemented annually in the same stages, starting from the date of accession of Montenegro to the WTO.
To comply with European and international laws, the Government amended the National Air Transport Facilitation Programme.
The Government also confirmed the Action Plan for the harmonisation of special laws with the Law on State Administration. The new Law on State Administration prescribes, among other things, the criteria for the establishment of state administration bodies, state agencies and funds, the way of planning work and reporting through monitoring the results achieved in relation to the set goals, clear lines of responsibility at all levels, in order to contribute efficiency of work and operation and provide a high level of quality in the provision of services. The harmonisation of special laws with the Law on State Administration improve the organisational structure and align the organisation of the state administration with the European standards.
