MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Montenegro are mulling over launching a direct air service, Vice President of Montenegro's Chamber of Economy Ivan Saveljic told journalists as he took part in the Belarusian-Montenegrin business forum on 19 November, BelTA has learned.
“With the Montenegro Airlines attending the forum, we will discuss the launch of a direct flight from Minsk to Montenegro to boost tourism. This will also give an impetus to business development and bilateral cooperation, including in agriculture and energy. We hope our small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to establish ties as well,” Ivan Saveljic said.
According to different estimates, around 35,000-40,000 Belarusians visited Montenegro in 2018, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich noted. “The demand is high in summer, and the airports of Grodno and Gomel operate charter flights. There is a direct flight to Belgrade and a connecting flight from Belgrade to Montenegro. Before starting negotiations on the launch of a regular flight, the national air carriers should prepare the economic feasibility studies to make sure the project will be mutually beneficial,” he stressed.
Representatives of the business circles of the two countries are set to hold talks on prospects for cooperation in transport, tourism, construction, trade in construction materials, the energy sector, metalworking, woodworking, the meat industry, auditing and accounting, consulting, and other areas. “Belarus-Montenegro trade is rather modest. Montenegro is a new market for Belarus. The countries cooperate in woodworking. Enterprises of this sector got a major overhaul, and their products enjoy demand in foreign markets. Another area of bilateral cooperation is logistics. Montenegro holds unique positions in terms of food products and we could play a role in helping them access the EAEU market. Other avenues of cooperation include tourism, transport, and IT services,” Vladimir Ulakhovich said.
Belarus and Montenegro should step up economic cooperation, Ambassador of Montenegro to Russia with concurrent accreditation to Belarus Ramiz Basic noted. “Montenegro is a popular travel destination among Belarusians. We could also cooperate in agriculture and manufacturing. We are interested in a lot of Belarusian enterprises and products,” he said.
The business forum will also see presentations of business opportunities in Belarus and Montenegro. The Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro intend to sign an agreement on economic cooperation. “We negotiated via the embassies for several years and finally arrived at the result. I hope that this forum will be the first in a series of events which will help us enhance economic cooperation between our countries,” Ivan Saveljic noted.
