TWBM Empower Forum 2026: “From Visibility to Concrete Support for Women in Business”

The Director General of the Directorate for Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Economy at the Ministry of Economic Development, Anđela Gajević, MSc, participated in the panel “Support That Enables Growth,” organized to mark the fifth anniversary of the Top Women Business Montenegro (TWBM) initiative. The panel brought together representatives of institutions, the financial sector and consulting firms, who discussed improving support for women’s entrepreneurship, the importance of linking financial and non-financial support, simplifying procedures, and creating programs tailored to the real needs of women entrepreneurs. Speaking about opportunities to improve government support programs, the Director General emphasized that, in addition to supporting business start-ups, it is essential to create conditions for further development, sustainability and competitiveness. In this context, she highlighted the importance of mentoring, education and continuous monitoring of business development, along with clear and transparent criteria for allocating funds, simplifying administrative procedures, and stronger cooperation between institutions and the financial sector. She also stressed that the success of support should not be measured solely by the number of public calls issued and programs available, but by how many women entrepreneurs manage to identify suitable opportunities, make use of them and improve their businesses. The fifth anniversary of the TWBM initiative provided an opportunity to present the results of women’s entrepreneurship in Montenegro, highlight women’s contribution to economic development, and further emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment for the growth and development of their businesses.