Montenegro and BRI Initiative

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is the analysis of economic relations between Montenegro and China and the implications that the intensified economic cooperation may have on the political, regional, and global levels. Special attention is paid to the construction of the priority section of the Bar-Boljare highway and the financial arrangement concluded on those grounds between Montenegro and the Chinese Exim Bank. China's presence in the Western Balkans has gained importance recently through the Belt and Road Initiative project. Therefore, this chapter seeks to answer how Montenegro can use all the benefits of this initiative to strengthen its national economy and increase its citizens' living standards. That can be crucial as Montenegro is facing economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and FDI inflows are a precondition to reduce the infrastructure gap within the convergence criteria in the EU accession process.