2.63 Montana 2023, Инвестиционен анализ

Local business has relatively favourable conditions, the main contribution of which is the local executive power and the municipal administration. Despite the negative demographic trends and the current socio-economic characteristics of the region, the mayoral team and the municipal administration are making efforts to create an environment for doing business.

The mayor uses various mechanisms to communicate with citizens and has an established practice of accountability regarding the actions taken. The mayor and his team exercise adequate control over public service providers, through public procurement and using internal audit mechanisms in relation to municipal enterprises. The control institutions of the municipality apply an equal approach when carrying out the control activity in relation to private business. Local business appreciates that it is included in a consultative process and its suggestions are taken into account, but at the same time, there is an absence of a high degree of transparency of the already established interaction with local authorities.

The municipal administration has developed the capacity to provide administrative services, having built a system for complex provision of services; it seeks to expand the scope of electronic services. The research registered deficits in ensuring the publicity of information regarding existing registers, discussed documents, draft decisions and normative acts.

The municipality maintains a site with its structure under development. Sections useful for businesses are “Business” (directing to general information about the main companies operating in the area) and “Information and Services” which links to the administrative services supported, registers, “Construction and Town Planning” (containing links to requirements and documents related to administrative services from the Integrated Information System of the State Administration), “Profile of the buyer”, “Announcements”, “Auctions”. The site does not provide any other information about the conditions for investments in the municipality or about the conditions for supporting start-up businesses and innovative economic activities.

The Municipal Council has a good public image and, in general, its activities do not create grounds for critical assessments regarding its independence. At the same time, deficits were found in ensuring transparency in the activity of the standing committees. The local parliament has not yet built effective and transparent mechanisms for interaction with citizens and businesses when formulating specific proposals and policies for local development. The passive approach of civil society and business structures also plays a role in this assessment.

Local business operates freely, with no data and examples of pressure on economic activity. The research shows that a small part of the companies has a practice of participating in the consultative process with the local authorities, of developing opinions regarding some regulations and decisions of the local authorities. The topic of combating corruption does not fall into the focus of attention of local businesses.

Civil organisations have a minor contribution to public control of institutions. In the municipality, there are examples of active media that can serve as a corrective to the institutions.