Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – It was concluded at a roundtable organized by the Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) that continuous dialogue between institutions and the business community is crucial for the successful implementation of the Law on Foreigners.

Therefore, this piece of legislation must serve as an incentive rather than an obstacle to economic development.

According to a press release from the PKCG, the aim of the roundtable titled “Law on Foreigners – Implementation Challenges” was to familiarize business representatives in more detail with the key provisions and most important amendments to the new law, as well as to provide answers to specific practical questions and concerns through open dialogue with competent institutions.

PKCG Vice President Dragan Kujovic said that the implementation of the Law on Foreigners is not merely an administrative issue, but an important developmental and economic matter that directly affects investment, employment and the overall competitiveness of the country.

“Montenegro is currently facing a structural labour shortage, particularly acute in tourism, but also in other sectors that drive economic growth. Our economy is transforming and adapting to new global trends, which requires a flexible and efficient regulatory framework,” Kujovic said.

Dragan Dasic of the Ministry of Interior presented the reasons for adopting the new Law on Foreigners, saying that one of its key goals is alignment with European Union directives, particularly in areas relating to the rule of law, migration and the free movement of workers.

He also pointed to the need to eliminate shortcomings identified in the previous period, as well as to curb abuses recorded in practice.

“We identified more than one thousand foreigners who registered companies without real business activity, without employees and without fiscal turnover, which was a clear signal that the system required reform,” Dasic said.

According to him, Montenegro must enable businesses to hire the necessary workforce, while at the same time preventing abuse of residence and work permits.