The private sector plays a crucial role in Montenegro’s economic development, contributing to job creation, innovation and GDP growth. Large companies often act as catalysts for sustainable development. A developed economy is essential for a developed state, and these interdependent sectors should collaborate, stated Mirza Mulešković, an economic analyst.
Commenting on the recently presented study on the socio-economic impact of the Coca-Cola system (SEIS), which was conducted for the first time in Montenegro, Mulešković highlighted that such systems are key partners in boosting the country’s economic potential.
“Publishing such studies promotes the private sector as an important factor in strengthening national fiscal stability, something that cannot be seen in a company’s financial flow reports alone,” said Mulešković. He emphasized that having concrete data and relevant research provides a clearer view of potential paths for creating a better business environment that could further stimulate the economy.
The study revealed that in 2022, the Coca-Cola system, across its entire value chain, generated €63 million, equivalent to 1% of the GDP. This demonstrates the scale of the company’s impact on Montenegro’s small economy. Mulešković, who also contributed to the SEIS report, explained that €17 million of the total income was generated directly, while an additional €46 million was created indirectly through the network of suppliers, distributors, and partners.
The study also showed that Coca-Cola contributed €39 million to Montenegro’s budget through the entire value chain, accounting for 3% of total tax revenues. Additionally, around 2,200 jobs were created, representing 1% of total employment.
Mulešković emphasized that a key takeaway from the study is the significant role of global players, highlighting that the Coca-Cola system procured €20 million worth of goods and services from suppliers in Montenegro.
According to Mulešković, SEIS is the first study of its kind to come from the private sector and serves as a model for other entities and business associations. He stressed the importance of quantifying the strength of economic actors in this way.
“Therefore, it is crucial to continue improving dialogue and better involving business entities and associations in the decision-making process. This will ensure that the voices of those most affected by the decisions are heard, and they are best positioned to evaluate whether those decisions are good or not,” Mulešković explained.
He added that including the private sector in decision-making would directly contribute to creating a more favorable, transparent, and sustainable business environment—an essential condition for further economic growth and attracting new investments to Montenegro.
“Monegro has great potential, and the market is expanding year by year. EU membership is opening new opportunities, which means there is significant room for growth. It is up to all sectors of society to contribute from their perspective to achieving this goal,” concluded Mulešković.
