Economic analyst Mirza Mulešković has criticized the lack of transparency in the establishment process of the Development Bank of Montenegro and emphasized that the bank should focus solely on supporting the economy.
Mulešković argues that the development bank should not engage in commercial activities but should be dedicated to aiding economic entities, particularly those oriented towards exports.
The Montenegrin Parliament is set to discuss the Proposal for the Law on the Development Bank of Montenegro, as reported by RTCG. This proposal, put forward by the “Europe Now” movement, aims to establish a bank that serves public interest rather than seeking profit. Vasilije Čarapić, head of the parliamentary group for “Europe Now,” highlighted that the development bank would support projects critical to the economy and society.
Mulešković has expressed concerns about the transparency of this initiative from the outset. He stressed the need for a fully transparent process involving the public to ensure proper implementation.
He emphasized that the development bank’s priorities should be clearly defined, focusing on the economy, small businesses, startups, and women, without overlapping with the functions of commercial banks.
Montenegro and Serbia are the only former SFRY countries without a development bank. North Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have development banks that primarily support export-oriented companies.
The proposed law includes provisions for the development bank to cover its obligations with its assets, backed by an unconditional guarantee from Montenegro.
