The MoUs open new cooperation on European value chains, industrial development and green transition

Budva – Seven industrial parks and business zones from the Western Balkans Six (WB6) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with partner organisations from the European Union (EU) today in Budva, formally launching the WB6-EU Industrial Parks Partnership. The Partnership is part of the regional economic deliverables prepared for the forthcoming 2026 Berlin Process Summit, with the initiative facilitated by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). It is designed to strengthen business links between the region and European industry, support integration into European value chains and facilitate the exchange of green practices between industrial parks in the region and the EU. 

Organised by the RCC and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, with support from the European Commission, the signing ceremony took place on the margins of the Economic Conference Montenegro 2026, ahead of the Berlin Process Economic Ministers’ Meeting. The initiative also contributes to the implementation of the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025–2028.
“Today, we are launching a partnership between industrial parks in WB6 and the EU with a clear purpose: to bring our businesses closer to European industry. Our businesses are already closely connected to the European market. The opportunity now is to take that connection further: to help more firms from the WB6 enter European value chains, and to help those already supplying European customers take on more work,” said RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović. “Today, we make the introductions. Tomorrow, we build business links.”  

Opening remarks were also delivered by Ernad Suljević, Minister of Regional and Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organisations of Montenegro; Bernard Brunet, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro; and Nina Drakić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. Nik Gjeloshaj, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development of Montenegro, delivered the closing remarks. 

The Western Balkans Six partners are: TEDA Tirana; Technology Park Posušje; Business Zone Gradiška; Industrial Park Suhareka; Business Zone Bijelo Polje; Industrial Zone Bitola; and CTPark Belgrade City. Their EU counterparts include Wirtschaftsagentur Burgenland, Innovation Centre W.E.I.Z and Ökopark Hartberg from Austria; Industrial Park Schwarze Pumpe from Germany; Development Agency Sora and Business and Industrial Zone Tezno/PPC Tezno Institute from Slovenia.

The seven MoUs provide a framework for practical cooperation in areas ranging from business matchmaking, supplier development and investment promotion to industrial park management, innovation and skills development. Cooperation will also focus on the gradual introduction of Eco-Industrial Park approaches, including resource efficiency, circular economy practices, cleaner energy and more sustainable industrial infrastructure.

With close to 70% of goods exported from the Western Balkans Six going to the EU, the Partnership seeks to build on already strong economic links by connecting companies more directly with potential European suppliers, customers, investors and technology partners. Industrial parks can play an important role in making those connections by bringing together businesses, investment opportunities and practical expertise. 

The initiative is conceived as a practical and flexible long-term platform rather than a one-off exchange. RCC will support its initial phase by facilitating contacts between participating organisations, peer learning, study visits, business-to-business matchmaking and other joint activities. As cooperation develops, the Partnership is expected to expand to include additional industrial parks from both the Western Balkans Six and the European Union.

Western Balkans 6-European Union industrial park partnership leaflet