The sale of Montenegro’s government bonds for citizens, offering an interest rate of 3.75%, began this week. The Ministry of Finance reported strong public interest, with around €9 million purchased within the first two days.
According to Ministry representative Nikolina Lakić, citizens have recognized the opportunity to save while simultaneously investing in the country’s economic development. The state aims to raise €50 million through this bond issuance, taking advantage of high levels of bank savings—over €2 billion—and low deposit interest rates.
Economic analyst Stevan Gajević noted that while additional government borrowing is generally not ideal, this short-term borrowing is acceptable and safe for citizens. “It’s a 100% guaranteed investment over two years, so there’s no risk for citizens,” he said.
Government bonds offer a more attractive return compared to bank savings rates, which average up to 2.6% for two-year deposits. For an investment of €500, citizens can earn €37.50 after two years, while €10,000 would yield €750.
The purchase process is simple and free of charge. Interested citizens can visit one of six partner bank branches, fill out a short subscription form, and select the investment amount. Bonds can be purchased until November 18, and the funds raised will be used exclusively for development projects.
