B4EU prepares Montenegrin businesses for EU membership

Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, and the President of the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, Nina Drakić, signed today a Memorandum of Cooperation on the implementation of the initiative "Preparing Montenegrin economy for EU membership – B4EU". The Memorandum was signed during the Montenegro 2026 Economic Conference held in Budva. "Considering Montenegro's strategic goal to become the next EU member state, the final phase of accession negotiations and Montenegro's expected EU membership must be accompanied by timely preparation of the economy to fully utilize opportunities and assume obligations arising from membership. The cooperation between the Ministry and the Chamber will include raising awareness among the business community about the economic, regulatory, and institutional effects of EU membership, strengthening the capacity of Montenegrin companies to operate in the EU single market, promoting European standards of quality, sustainability, digitalization, and competitiveness. "Access to the European Union will open new opportunities for economic development, access to the single market, European funds, investments, and inclusion in European value chains, but will also require a high level of readiness of companies to operate in the regulatory and competitive environment of the EU," said Nina Drakić. The two sides will also work together to improve access to information about European programs, funds, and financial instruments, develop dialogue between the economy, institutions, and European partners on priorities for economic reforms related to the accession process, and prepare recommendations to improve the business environment and competitiveness of Montenegrin economy in the context of EU membership. As part of the initiative, the Ministry and the Chamber will support the implementation of programs that include a cycle of expert panels and conferences dedicated to the business effects of EU membership, thematic events on the single market, exports, standards and certification, green and digital transition, development financing, labor market, EU public procurement, and sectoral policies, as well as experience exchange with EU member states.