The fourth quarter of last year saw a rise in indices and modest trading on the Montenegro Stock Exchange, with the value of the MNSE10 index, which tracks the top ten companies, increasing by 1.5% to 1,221.82 points, and the MONEX index rising by 0.8% to 18,035.23 points. However, trading volume was low, amounting to €12.15 thousand, nearly three times lower than the previous week.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that the government will continue to reduce tax burdens across all levels. At the Business Agenda 2025 forum, he emphasized that the goal is for the state to support economic growth, as higher private sector earnings will contribute to increased government revenue. He also highlighted the need to digitalize the state apparatus and simplify tax procedures, referencing his own experience of paying taxes with ease in Singapore.
The stock market saw gains this week in certain companies: Hipotekarna Bank’s stock rose by 9.4% to €9.30, Budvanska Rivijera increased by 2.7% to €7.21, and Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem (CGES) grew by 0.8% to €1.32. However, Port of Adria saw a decline of 9.6% to €0.33, and Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) dropped by 0.2% to €5.51.
The week was also marked by the general boycott of Voli supermarkets. In response, Voli informed local producers that it would reduce the agreed quantities of domestic product purchases. The political party Alternativa Crna Gora has called on the Ministry of Economic Development to propose specific measures in response to the rising prices of basic goods. They expressed that the public’s boycott was a clear message against the unsustainable economic situation negatively impacting citizens’ standards of living.
President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, called on all social actors to come up with concrete solutions to reduce prices in the country. He recently sent an initiative to the government with ten urgent measures aimed at reducing prices and improving the standard of living. Additionally, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Finance, and Budget, Boris Mugoša, announced that he would initiate a thematic session to address the issue of prices in retail chains.
This week, EPCG also announced the completion of repairs on the A6 unit at the Perućica Hydroelectric Plant, which significantly contributes to the plant’s efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Moreover, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted the law to confirm the agreement between the EU and Montenegro on special arrangements for implementing EU support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). This marks a key step in implementing the Growth Plan, bringing Montenegro closer to receiving the first payment from the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
