The 5th Regional Business Forum Bijelo Polje 2025 has started

English

Details: 18 September 2025

The 5th Regional Business Forum Bijelo Polje 2025 was officially opened in Bijelo Polje today, bringing together representatives of the Government of Montenegro, international organizations, the diplomatic corps, the economy, and the academic community.

On behalf of the host, the forum participants were welcomed by the Mayor of Bijelo Polje, Petar Smolović, who emphasized that this forum is no longer just an event, but an important regional platform that inspires new partnerships and launches development projects.

“In times of great changes and challenges, the north of Montenegro must not be a forgotten region. It must be recognized and supported as a development opportunity for the entire country. Our resources – in agriculture, energy, tourism, but also in young, educated people – can become the foundation of sustainable and balanced development of Montenegro,” said Mayor Smolović.

He thanked the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro and its President Nina Drakić, as well as UNDP in Montenegro and its Permanent Representative Ekaterina Paniklova, for their continued support and partnership in organizing the forum.

The importance of joint action was also pointed out by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, Nina Drakić, who said that the north of Montenegro has both the right and the need to develop in step with the state.

"The forum should identify all relevant issues, to seek answers and solutions from the professional public and especially from decision-makers in state and local level institutions, therefore I call for this year's Bijelo Polje Business Forum to be closed by adopting appropriate conclusions, according to the priorities and common interests of several municipalities. The municipalities of the north should stand behind these conclusions, and the institutions involved should support them through their scope of work. The Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro will be the first to do so. The conference, which will last two days, will highlight everything that has been done, but also what needs to be done in the future in order to reduce the development gap between the northern region and the other two regions of Montenegro," said Drakić.

UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, addressing the audience, said that none of the 25 municipalities in Montenegro has a female mayor, and that the capacities of women's leadership are still not sufficiently recognized and represented.

"Behind these numbers are stories of lost potential and great opportunities, because every percentage of progress in women's empowerment means stronger communities, more resilient families, and a more competitive economy. Women, especially from rural areas, must be at the center of the green transition as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators," said Paniklova.

This year's agenda of the forum focuses on capital projects, green energy development, digital transformation, the role of the diaspora as a strong development force, and local communities seeking innovative solutions.

President Smolović emphasized that the presence of a large number of institutions, partners, and businessmen shows that the north has prospects, but also strong allies on the path of development.

The forum is organized by the Municipality of Bijelo Polje and the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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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