President proposes 10 measures to reduce prices and improve living standards in Montenegro

The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, has called on all social actors in the country to implement practical solutions to reduce prices in Montenegro.

Milatović emphasized that the public debate between the government and academia regarding the reasons for high prices is less important than finding concrete solutions for the citizens. He reminded the government of his recent initiative, which includes ten practical measures aimed at reducing the prices of basic goods in Montenegro.

The key points of his initiative include:

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1. Mandatory display of profit margins: Traders must legally disclose the profit margin for each product to increase transparency and allow citizens to compare prices.
2. Limiting profit margins for essential goods: A cap should be placed on margins for essential items like bread, milk, sugar, and flour to prevent excessive profits.
3. Forming reserve stockpiles: The government should create and regularly replenish commodity reserves to ensure stable market supply and avoid shortages of products with capped margins.
4. Price comparison website: A centralized online platform should be created to allow citizens to compare prices of essential products across supermarkets, encouraging market competition.
5. VAT return for vulnerable citizens: Vulnerable populations should receive partial or full VAT refunds on essential food products through social cards.
6. Increasing subsidies for domestic production: Boosting domestic agriculture is vital. The government should aim for an agricultural budget of at least 100 million euros to support local producers and reduce reliance on imports.
7. Incentives for sellers of domestic products: Consider offering benefits to those selling domestic products, and collaborate with municipalities to create distribution centers for local producers.
8. Reducing VAT on basic products: Consider reducing VAT on essential household products to lower their prices.
9. Analysis of price margins compared to the EU: A comprehensive analysis should be conducted on the factors contributing to higher prices in Montenegro compared to the EU, with clear recommendations for resolution.
10. Strengthening consumer protection: Increase the capacity of consumer protection organizations, enabling them to play a more active role in price control and market regulation.

These measures aim to stabilize prices and improve the standard of living for citizens.