He was speaking at a conference on changes in regional trade in the wake of Croatia's EU accession organised by the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the regional chambers and the International Finance Corporation.
Kavaric said asymmetrical liberalisation had been applied between Montenegro and Croatia since July 1 - Montenegrin products do not pay tariffs when exported to Croatia, while a certain level of protection has been retained in the import of Croatian products to Montenegro.
Kavaric said trade relations between the two countries were defined through the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and an additional protocol.
In light of Croatia's EU accession, Montenegro began negotiations with the EU to adapt the SAA, as a result of which an additional protocol was initialled in May to retain the trade volume that existed between the two countries, he said, adding that Croatia was one of Montenegro's most important trading partners.
Montenegrin exports to Croatia amounted to EUR 83.5 million in 2012, or 22.8 per cent of all exports, while imports from Croatia stood at EUR 110 million, or 6.1% of all imports.
Montenegro is a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement, which Croatia exited as it joined the EU. This changed the regime of trade, tariffs and procedures, introducing the application of EU quality and security standards.