At the meeting of the ambassadors of the EU Member States ambassadors and head of delegation that was held today in Podgorica PM, Duško Marković, said that the Government’s priorities for 2019 were clear- even more intense dynamics in the EU integration, further growth of economy, new hobs and a comprehensive action against grey economy.
He said that 2018 had been a year of very demanding and hard work of the Government, as well as of continuous progress of Montenegro at an economic plan. In 2019, they will continue working on fulfilling the obligations from the European agenda with even more high-quality and more intense dynamics.
“Apart from demanding and hard work, effects of the progress in the EU integration, as well as NATO membership, bring the quality of the stability, and that creates space for us to fully commit to what we, as a society, need for sustainable development. In the year that’s behind us, one of the most important achievements of our Government is its economic policy that continued to bring great results according to all most important parameters”, said Marković.
Marković adds that GDP per capita has grown.
“Unemployment rate that amounted 22,1% at the end of 2017 reduced by over 4%. Increase of the overall economic activity contributed to employment growth, as well as strong economic growth that created new jobs”, pointed out Marković.
Income collection was by almost €180 million higher. Budget deficit in 2018 decreased by 3,5%. According to the Central Bank, inflow of FDI in the first nine months of 2017 amounted €659 million and in the first eleven months of last year, it amounted €747 million.
When it comes to the political plan, the PM pointed out the fact that the boycott of the Parliament ended and that the dialogue within the parliamentary working group regarding the electoral legislation started.
“Our objective for 2019 id to open the only remaining chapter – Competition, implement the instrument measures of Chapters 23 and 24 and to reach that internal readiness for closing the chapters. Our goal is even more intense economic growth and creation of new jobs.We’re going to achieve that by the realization of capital investments along with foreign investments, development of small and medium enterprises and improvement of business environment”, said Marković.
In order to achieve it, this year the Government will start off the comprehensive action aimed at stopping informal economy.
Marković thanked the ambassadors for their engagement and contribution and congratulated Romania on taking over the presidency of the Council of the EU.
“I’d also like to thank Austria. During its presidency we opened a very important Chapter, Chapter 27”, said Marković.
