FID Forum
Montenegro’s CEO Forum charts a path through digital transformation, industrial renewal, and policy discipline
The inaugural CEO Forum in Podgorica created an opportunity for strategic discussions regarding the future of small economies amid global uncertainties, bringing together influential decision-makers from both the country and the region. Rajko Milić, the founder and director of the Investitor portal, has set out an ambitious vision for its first edition, with the aim of developing it into an ongoing platform a hub for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and generating practical business solutions. The discussion focused on the structure of the Montenegrin economy and its ability to withstand external pressures.
Nina Drakić, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the growing complexity of the global landscape, stressing that small economies can no longer afford uncoordinated policies or improvised decisions. In this context, she noted, the stakes of erroneous choices are rising, while the room for correction is shrinking. Her assessment of the Montenegro’s growth model still largely reliant on services, consumption, and imports raises questions about the scope of reforms implemented so far. Current economic trends send a clear message: fostering sustainable development hinges on bolstering the manufacturing sector, enhancing the predictability of the business landscape, and transitioning from temporary fixes to a focus on long-term planning and investment stability.
Digital transformation emerged as one of the Forum’s central themes. Martin Leberle of NLB Bank pointed to Montenegro’s strong potential in IT expertise and data processing, while also addressing the disparity between technological advancements and the regulatory environment. The swift adoption of the SEPA system and the Apple Pay service, as noted, illustrates the market’s operational readiness, but also underscores the need for legislative support to fully unlock this potential. He further noted that economic trends are closely linked to social patterns. The structure of the bank’s client base largely retirees and public sector employees reflects deeply rooted habits of trust and financial behavior that often go beyond standard economic metrics.
Operational efficiency and competitiveness were also discussed in the context of logistics. Milan Ora noted that a considerable portion of the regional economy still relies on fragmented and outdated communication frameworks. The shift towards digital logistics, he said, represents more than a mere technological advancement; it signifies a fundamental change in management practices moving towards systems that enable greater control, transparency, and predictability in business operations.
Dragan Bokan highlighted the perspective of the real sector through the example of Voli, a company that has established its market presence over three decades amidst challenging economic circumstances. The information regarding consumer confidence that he shared reveals a steady market view of the brand, underlining the importance of consistent quality and pricing. Simultaneously, his criticism of regulatory choices that could adversely affect the national economy reflects broader concern about the balance between governmental policies and market logic. In the context of European integration, he underscored that competition is set to intensify, necessitating prompt adaptations of business models.
Dušan Radusinović spoke about management and a customer-oriented approach, emphasizing how Mtel has evolved through the advancement of its 5G network and its strategic role as a partner rather than merely a service provider.
Vladimir Raičević drew attention to the demographic dimension of the economy, pointing to a widespread perception of stagnation and declining economic conditions among a large share of the population. Such perceptions, he noted, directly influence consumption, investments, and the overall economic activity.
The Forum addressed key topics such as investments, digitalization, industrial development, and economic transformation all critical to Montenegro’s future growth. The key takeaway that emerged was that the competitiveness of a small economy is no longer reliant solely on its resources, but rather on the capacity to navigate change swiftly, strategically, and in cooperation between the public and private sectors.