Montenegro and Singapore are looking to deepen their economic ties, a move that could play a significant role in the development of Montenegro, given Singapore’s highly developed and market-oriented economy. This was the key takeaway from the meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers, Milojko Spajić of Montenegro and Lawrence Wong of Singapore.
Both leaders emphasized that challenging times often forge the strongest friendships and that small countries must collaborate to overcome obstacles. They agreed on the need to strengthen the already friendly relations between their nations.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Spajić shared that the purpose of his visit was to create stronger connections between Montenegro and Singapore and to enhance cooperation on all levels. “Your experiences are invaluable to us, and we want to adopt the best practices from the most successful countries, and Singapore is definitely one of them,” Spajić remarked.
Prime Minister Wong expressed his hope that Montenegro would soon become a part of the European Union, which would pave the way for a free trade agreement between the EU and Singapore. He noted that this development could greatly benefit Montenegro’s economy, as Singapore is known for its strong, market-driven economy, characterized by openness, a lack of corruption, stable prices, and a per capita income on par with the most developed nations.
Wong also highlighted the potential for knowledge exchange, particularly in areas such as fiscal policy and digital transformation. He offered to provide training and introduce Montenegrin officials to the technologies that Singapore uses in public administration. “We are always ready to share our knowledge, and we can exchange ideas in these key areas,” Wong said.
In addition to economic cooperation, the two leaders discussed Montenegro’s energy potential and infrastructure development, including plans for highway construction, railway reconstruction, and improvements to airports and the Port of Bar. Both sides agreed that organizing a business forum bringing together entrepreneurs from both countries could be an important next step in strengthening bilateral relations.
They also touched on migration policies, which present significant challenges for small countries. For Montenegro, this issue may become even more complex with the country’s potential future EU membership. Furthermore, the two leaders discussed global geopolitical matters, such as the war in Ukraine and the dynamics in Southeast Asia.
