4. BBF - Panel no. 4 : Women entrepreneurship the fastest growing category and one of the main factors contributing economy development

English

Details: 28 July 2023

The second day of the 4th Bjelopolje Business Forum began with the 4th panel discussion on the topic: "Women and young people as founders of business". Milica Lazarević, Chamber of Commerce moderated, and the panelists were Nemša Omerhodžić, DOO Merkator Bijelo Polje, Jasmina Vlahović, Garni hotel & Glamping "Zvjezdana dolina", Marko Maraš, founder of the platform "Seljak.me" and Uroš Bulatović, president of the Union of Young Entrepreneurs of Montenegro Above.

Nemša Omerhodžić presented her family business, which she started in the early 1990s, when women in business were viewed with greater skepticism than today. Montenegro has generally progressed in the field of female entrepreneurship, she believes.

- Female entrepreneurship is very important because it is the fastest growing category and one of the main factors contributing to the development of the economy. 10 years ago, one out of ten companies was owned by women, and today it is one out of four companies - she said. She appeals to all women who recognize in themselves the potential to start their own businesses, and suggests that the Forum award an award for the best female entrepreneur.

Jasmina Vlahović spoke about the family business that has been in existence for four years and the quality of services is increasingly conquering the market. Through Garni glamping hotel "Zvjezdana dolina", they provide a new connection with nature, for which there is great interest, and at the same time promote the beauty of the north of the country.

- We want to tell young people not to leave the village, but to use its many potentials - said Vlahović and announced the organization of a plant festival in the area.

She emphasized the importance of IRF and UNDP support for women and young people in business.

Marko Maraš launched "seljak.me", the first specialized platform in Montenegro that is visited by up to four million people a year, and which went beyond Montenegro and was established in Serbia, and the intention is that it will soon be the same in other countries of the region.

- I am glad that we enabled people to more easily market agricultural products and get the necessary information - said Maraš, reminding that this platform also enabled the first purchase of a cow with bitcoin.

He appeals for the connection of agriculture and digital technologies.

- We must include digital technologies because they help to involve young people in the agricultural sector and keep them in the countryside. We invest in young people and it is necessary to invest in education, medicine and other facilities in rural areas, said Maraš

Uroš Bulatović said that other countries have found that investing in young people's businesses pays off 200 percent more than supporting companies of people in their later years.

He also calls for Montenegro to conduct a similar study, because investing in young people is financially profitable. We also need this kind of measurability. The latest research shows that less than 4 percent of companies belong to young people. We are struggling to support them and systemic support is necessary. In PG, together with PKCG, we have opened a hub for starting youth businesses, which will be one of the system's non-fin support, exchange of information and attraction of investors. We need a system to succeed in developing businesses. Support programs should first determine the needs of young people.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

APPLICATION FORM FOR BUSINESS ZONES

CONTACT:

OFFICE FOR LOCAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT

TelL: +382 69 840 551

E-mail: kler@bijelopolje.co.me

REAL ESTATES

ACCOMODATION:

e-CADASRE

e-LICENSE

USFULL LINKS:

Municipality of Bijelo Polje

Municipal Assembly of Bijelo Polje

Secretariat for the regulation of the area of Bijelo Polje Municipality

Government of Montenegro

Investment Development Fund

Tourist organization Bijelo Polje

Tourism organisation of Montenegro

Chamber of economy of Montenegro

UNDP

Union of municipatilies

Secretariat for Development Projects

Montenegrin employers federation

Employment Office of Montenegro

Portal Prekoveze

Portal zaposli.me

Association of montenegrin managers

Association of business women of Montenegro

Association of Entrepreneurs of Montenegro

BIJELO POLJE WEATHER

R E L I E F S:

Municipal Decision on tax reliefs

Article 4

Companies and entrepreneurs referred to in Article 3 shall be introduced and identified the following financial incentives:

exemption from payment of communal fee for construction land,
exemption from payment of the fee for the use of municipal roads,
exemption from payment of surtax on personal income tax,
exemption from paying tax on real estate above 0.1% of the market value of the real estate.

Article 5

The tax exemption from Article 4 item 1 investor (company and entrepreneur) is realized in the amount up to 7,000.00 euros per one newly employed worker, or newly opened workplace, and can be used only if by investing, it increases the number of employees for 5 or more employees.

The incentives referred to in Article 4 item 2, 3 and 4 of this Decision shall also apply to existing companies and entrepreneurs in the area of the Bijelo Polje municipality for the extension of the economic activity referred to in Article 3 of this Decision, and can only be used if the expansion increases the number of employees for 5 or more workers and is valid for a period of 3 (three) years.

Note: The new Regulation on Business Zones was adopted on December 13, 2016 and was published in the Official Journal of Montenegro, No. 77/2016.

The municipality is obliged to until 21.06.2018, in accordance with the Government Regulation, adopt a new Business Zone Decision.

We are also referring to the Decision on the fee for communal equipment for construction land that was published on 29.12.2015. in the "Official Journal of Montenegro - Municipal Regulations" No. 48/15.

Tax reliefs – New Government Regulation on business zones

Article 15

For employed people working in a business zones, the business zone user does not pay:

1) Contributions for compulsory social insurance for salaries (contributions for pension and disability insurance, contribution for health insurance, unemployment insurance contribution) and contributions for the Labor Fund;

2) Personal income tax;

The amount of the relief referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article can not exceed the maximum allowable aid intensity of 60% for medium and 70% for small companies, in accordance with the regulations governing state aid.

The user of the business zone may use the incentives referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, for a maximum period of five years from the date of employment of persons in the business zone.

For the employee referred to in paragraph 1, item 1 of this Article, the user of the business zone calculates, suspends and pays the employee from the earnings of the employee: the contribution for the pension and invasive insurance at the rate of 15,0% contribution to health insurance at a rate of 8.5% and contribution to insurance against unemployment at a rate of 0.5% upon payment of earnings.

The basis for calculating the contribution referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be gross employee earnings.

The user of the business zone pays the calculated surtax of income tax.

In addition to the relief referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the beneficiary of the business zone shall also exercise the right to other incentives in accordance with the law and special regulations governing state aid, although they must not exceed the maximum allowable amount of incentive in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article.

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