Connected Economies for a Stronger Europe: Montenegro 2026 Economic Conference Held
Bečići, 1 October 2026 - How to strengthen economic connectivity across the Western Balkans, create greater opportunities for businesses and accelerate the region’s integration into the European market were among the key questions addressed at the 15th Economic Conference Montenegro 2026, held in Bečići on 30 September and 1 October and organised by the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro.
Held under the theme “Connected Economies for a Stronger Europe”, the conference brought together more than 600 representatives of the business and academic communities, decision-makers, institutions and international organisations from Montenegro, the Western Balkans and the European Union. Taking place in the year of Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process, the conference featured a ministerial-level panel and provided a platform to discuss practical steps towards a more competitive, connected and resilient regional economy as part of the Western Balkans’ European perspective.
Discussions focused on the Common Regional Market, regional value chains, connectivity with the EU Single Market, trade and administrative barriers, infrastructure, digitalisation, competitiveness, and access to European funds and financial instruments.
A central message of the conference was that regional cooperation delivers its full value when it translates into tangible benefits for citizens and businesses - by reducing the time and costs of doing business, opening new markets, connecting companies and enabling the region to compete more effectively in European and global markets.
In this context, economic connectivity was discussed as an integral part of the broader ambition of the Berlin Process: bringing the Western Balkans closer to the European Union through concrete results, strengthening the region’s capacity before accession and preparing businesses and institutions for participation in the EU Single Market.
One of the concrete outcomes of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on the implementation of the “Preparing Montenegro’s Economy for EU Membership - B4EU” initiative by the President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, Nina Drakić, and Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević.
The B4EU initiative aims to support the timely preparation of Montenegrin companies for operating in the EU Single Market by improving access to information on the economic, regulatory and institutional implications of membership, strengthening competitiveness and business capacities, promoting quality, sustainability and digitalisation standards, and improving access to European programmes, funds and financial instruments.
The initiative further underlined the importance of ensuring that European integration goes hand in hand with economic transformation - creating a business sector that is ready to make full use of the opportunities offered by the Single Market and compete within it.
Another important regional outcome of the conference was the launch of the Western Balkans–EU Industrial Parks Partnership, through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between seven industrial parks and business zones from the region and partner organisations from the EU.
Facilitated by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), with the support of the European Commission, the initiative aims to strengthen links between Western Balkan and European industry, support the integration of companies into European value chains and facilitate the exchange of experience and green practices among industrial parks.
The Partnership is among the regional economic deliverables prepared for the 2026 Berlin Process Summit and contributes to the implementation of the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025–2028.
The initiative also reflects the growing importance of moving from regional cooperation towards practical business partnerships, enabling more companies from the Western Balkans to enter European value chains and helping those already serving European customers to expand their business links.
In parallel, a meeting organised in cooperation with the Western Balkans Chamber Investment Forum (KIF) brought together representatives of the business community, the European Commission, governments and regional organisations to discuss the implementation of the Common Regional Market and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, regional value chains, trade barriers and the impact of EU legislation on the business environment.
Taken together, the discussions pointed to a common direction: a more connected region means a larger market, greater opportunities for businesses and stronger preparedness for the European market.
In the year of Montenegro’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process, the 15th Economic Conference Montenegro 2026 therefore served as more than a platform for exchanging views. By bringing together businesses, institutions and international partners, it helped advance concrete partnerships and initiatives that contribute to a shared ambition of the Berlin Process - turning regional cooperation into tangible results and strengthening the Western Balkans’ readiness for its European future.