At the three-day regional conference “Core Days 2022” – Partnership for a more competitive region, organized by the Regional Technical Secretariat in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro and other partners from the BFC SEE network, and with the support of German development cooperation implemented by GIZ, regional certificates were awarded on favorable business environment in Southeast Europe (BFC SEE).

The certificate intended for the Capital city Podgorica was presented to Marjan Junčaj, the city manager, who said that it was difficult to meet the required criteria.

“This certificate categorizes cities as to whether they are friendly for investments and for certain projects. We managed to fulfill all the criteria and Podgorica showed that in the previous period it brought renowned investors”, said Junčaj.

The awarded awards confirm that services are provided to citizens and the economy according to the highest international standards.

Certification of municipalities and cities according to economy in Southeast Europe (BFC SEE) is a unique program for evaluating and improving the conditions for business and investment at the local level. The certification program provides municipalities and cities with a reform plan and clear guidelines on how to create a good business climate and introduce internationally recognized standards of efficient and transparent local administration.

The focus of the conference was on the green and digital transition, innovative financing of local development in six countries of the Western Balkans, as well as on examples of best practice applied in the region in the field of innovation, digitalization, circular economy, real estate and tax policy.

More than 200 participants took part in the conference, including representatives of authorities from the national and local levels, companies active in the Western Balkan region, the European Commission, the EBRD, civil society organizations, the media, etc.