Constructive meeting with representatives of the rural tourism sector

Minister without Portfolio responsible for relations with the Parliament of Montenegro and Chair of the Coordination Body for the Harmonisation and Monitoring of Inspection Supervision Milutin Butorović, together with Andrej Vučeković, Adviser to the Chair of the Coordination Body, met with representatives of the Centre for Rural and Ecological Development of Montenegro, led by Mićo Blagojević, as well as representatives of the Cluster Centre for Rural Tourism from Bar, headed by Željka Krivokapić-Milićević.

The meeting focused on the challenges businesses face during inspections conducted by inspectorates operating within the framework of the Coordination Body, as well as opportunities to improve cooperation between state institutions and business entities. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the preventive and advisory role of inspection services in fostering legal and sustainable business operations. Through timely guidance and support, inspection services can help businesses align their operations with legal requirements. At the same time, the importance of consistent law enforcement and effective suppression of unregistered business activities was underlined.

Minister Butorović stressed that, in addition to their supervisory role, inspection services play an important role in prevention and the education of business operators, noting that the best results in improving the business environment and developing tourism can be achieved through a partnership-based approach between institutions and the private sector.

As Chair of the Coordination Body for the Harmonisation and Monitoring of Inspection Supervision, Butorović emphasised that there would be zero tolerance for all forms of the grey economy, unregistered business activities, and other illegal practices that undermine fair market conditions. He noted that the objective of such an approach is to protect businesses operating in compliance with the law, ensure fair competition, and further facilitate the work of registered entities subject to inspection.

Adviser to the Chair of the Coordination Body, Andrej Vučeković, announced the preparation of an informational guide outlining the documentation and obligations that businesses are required to fulfil under the applicable regulations, with the aim of facilitating their operations and communication with the competent authorities.

President of the Centre for Rural and Ecological Development of Montenegro Mićo Blagojević expressed satisfaction with the meeting and readiness to continue cooperation with state institutions.

Businesses want to operate in compliance with the law, and it is important that they have clear information and support throughout that process. We believe that, through dialogue and cooperation, solutions can be found that will contribute to the further development of tourism and local communities, said Blagojević.

Blagojević recalled that the Centre for Rural and Ecological Development of Montenegro operates an advisory service available to all interested business operators, and that the Centre will continue to forward their requests, initiatives, and inquiries to the relevant institutions.

Željka Krivokapić-Milićević highlighted the importance of continuous support for the development of rural tourism and stressed the need for ongoing cooperation among all relevant stakeholders in order to create the best possible conditions for the development of the tourism offer.

The participants agreed that the meeting was useful and constructive and expressed their expectation that such discussions would contribute to further strengthening cooperation between state institutions and representatives of the tourism sector in Montenegro.