Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – It was concluded at the closing event of the project “Strengthening CCI in Montenegro at the Policy and Implementation Level” that the development of cultural and creative industries (CCI) in Montenegro is slowing down, despite their strong potential and their role as a strategic pillar of a diversified economy.

At the event, organized by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (IPER) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Media, with support from UNESCO through the Participation Programme, it was noted that CCIs globally generate more than USD 1 trillion in exports and employ tens of millions of people.

“Presenting the most comprehensive analysis of the CCI sector since 2019, the research points to a clear imbalance: after a period of growth in previous years, the sector is now facing a slowdown and significant structural constraints in Montenegro, particularly in digital and creative segments such as ICT and design, along with underdeveloped support mechanisms for further growth,” IPER stated in a press release.

The event, which gathered together representatives of institutions, experts, entrepreneurs, and international partners, highlighted key barriers to further sector development: limited access to finance, inadequate market integration, and uneven levels of digitalization.

As noted, CCIs already have significant export potential and account for around 23 percent of Montenegro’s total services exports through computer services, contributing to economic diversification and innovation.