Dragan Bokan, the chairman of the board and majority owner of Montenegro’s leading retail company, VOLI, highlighted that the country’s domestic economy could have achieved much more since restoring its independence in 2006. He emphasised that the business environment needs more stability, predictability, and fewer sudden regulatory and political shifts to attract and protect investments.
Despite economic headwinds like inflation and supply chain issues, VOLI continues to grow and has entered a new 100-million-euro net investment cycle spanning from 2024 to 2028. Key projects include a 32-million-euro logistics and distribution centre built in partnership with the EBRD—which holds a 10.7% stake in the company—and a new 38-million-euro “Super VOLI” hypermarket at the entrance of Podgorica, set for completion by mid-2027. The company is also heavily investing in domestic food production through its “Nasa basta” (Our Garden) and “Naša farma” (Our Farm) initiatives to decrease the country’s heavy reliance on imports.
While retail revenues in Montenegro are rising, overall profitability is dropping due to soaring operational costs, decreased employee productivity, and a severe labour shortage. Bokan urged the government to establish better dialogue with local businesses before making economic decisions, arguing that strengthening domestic companies is far more critical for public finances than prioritizing foreign investors. Outside of business, VOLI continues to back major social causes, recently donating 300,000 euros to the Clinical Centre of Montenegro and $400,000 to UNICEF. Bokan, who also leads the Basketball Federation of Montenegro and the Buducnost Voli basketball club, concluded by urging the state to secure sustainable financing for sports to keep Montenegrin basketball competitive against heavily funded regional rivals.
