Strengthening Strategic Investment Ties: Successful Outreach Campaign in Vienna

From 24 to 28 November, Invest North Macedonia successfully conducted a targeted investment outreach campaign in Vienna, Austria, with the support of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). The mission aimed to strengthen economic cooperation with Austria and promote North Macedonia’s investment potential among key institutional and business stakeholders.

Throughout the week, the Invest North Macedonia team held a series of high-level institutional meetings and targeted business discussions, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation, exchanging best practices, and facilitating new investment opportunities.

Key Institutional Meetings

• ABA – INVEST in AUSTRIA
  Discussions focused on current Austrian investment trends, the exchange of best practices in investment promotion, and opportunities for future joint promotional activities targeting Austrian investors interested in the Western Balkans.

• Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)
  Meetings explored concrete mechanisms to strengthen bilateral business cooperation, improve information flow, and facilitate direct access for Austrian companies to investment opportunities in North Macedonia, particularly in priority sectors.

• Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Vienna
  Coordination meetings addressed upcoming economic diplomacy and investment-promotion activities, as well as strengthening governmental support for investors. The Embassy will play a key role in aligning future initiatives and engaging Austrian institutions in a more strategic and structured manner.

• Macedonian–Austrian Business Club
  The Club provided valuable insights into Austrian investor interests, ongoing bilateral projects, and sector-specific opportunities. The role of the Macedonian community and diaspora in Vienna was highlighted as an important bridge for promoting economic ties and supporting business cooperation.Business Meetings and Investment Promotion

In parallel, Invest North Macedonia held targeted business meetings with Austrian companies operating in the agribusiness, food processing, and metallurgy sectors. During these meetings, the team presented North Macedonia’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location, skilled workforce, access to regional and EU markets, and tailored government support measures. Discussions focused on identifying concrete investment opportunities and next steps for potential project development.

The outreach campaign reaffirmed Austria’s strong interest in the region and further positioned North Macedonia as a reliable and competitive investment destination, while laying the groundwork for continued engagement and future investment projects.

Invest North Macedonia at Halal Expo Sarajevo 2025

The international Halal Expo Sarajevo 2025 officially opened yesterday and will last for three days, bringing together over 60 exhibitors from more than 20 countries! The event aims to boost innovation, investment, and business cooperation in the halal economy and real estate sectors.

Our team from Invest North Macedonia, led by Director Mr. Refik Xhemaili, is representing our country with a national booth, promoting investment opportunities and export potential.

Over the past two days, we held productive meetings with:

–  Representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – expressing interest in energy sector collaboration,

–  Potential investors and government agencies from several countries,

–  Ms. Manal Almadani, a specialist from Saudi Arabia for halal certification – keen to connect with Macedonian companies,

– The Investment Agency of Montenegro – with a proposal to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation,

–  Mr. Abdullah AlSheki, tourism expert – who showed strong interest in organizing visits to Macedonia for tourists from Qatar.

Successful Business Forum in Munich

Munich, Germany – North Macedonia was at the forefront of investment discussions during a highly successful Business Forum held in Munich, organized by the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Republic of North Macedonia in Munich. The event aimed to strengthen economic ties and promote the country’s investment potential to the German business community.

Strong Interest from Key Sectors

The forum attracted leading German companies and institutions, with particular interest from the agribusiness, automotive, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors – all recognized as high-growth industries in North Macedonia.

Attendees were introduced to the country’s dynamic investment climate and learned about:

• A stable macroeconomic and political environment, which ensures predictability for investors

• Highly competitive operating costs and access to a motivated, multilingual, and skilled workforce

• Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, including duty-free access to the EU, EFTA, CEFTA, and Turkey

Comprehensive Investment Support

Participants were particularly interested in the range of investment incentives offered by the Government of North Macedonia, which include:

• Corporate tax exemptions, customs benefits, and VAT relief in specific sectors and zones

• Direct financial assistance for new investments and job creation

• A dedicated post-investment support program, ensuring long-term investor satisfaction and sustainability

• Investment opportunities within Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZs), which offer ready-to-use infrastructure and fast-track administrative procedures

Productive Dialogue and Concrete Inquiries

Following the official presentation, a Q&A session enabled open dialogue between representatives of Invest North Macedonia and German businesses. Participants expressed concrete interest in:

• Criteria for establishing operations in industrial zones

• Availability and quality of local labor, particularly engineers and IT professionals

• Procedures and timelines for setting up a business in North Macedonia

This interaction highlighted the German business community’s growing confidence in Macedonia’s investment environment.

Building Partnerships and Future Collaboration

The forum concluded with a dynamic networking session, allowing participants to engage in one-on-one meetings, exchange ideas, and explore potential partnerships.

Appreciation and Next Steps

The Agency expresses its sincere gratitude to all companies, institutions, and partners who contributed to the success of the forum. Events like this reaffirm North Macedonia’s commitment to:

• Strengthening economic diplomacy

• Facilitating investment dialogue

• Offering a transparent, investor-friendly climate

North Macedonia continues to position itself as a reliable, competitive, and opportunity-rich destination for German and European investors alike.

Global Economic Prospects 2025: Key Insights for North Macedonia

Explore the latest trends and forecasts shaping the global economy. Discover the key drivers of economic growth, investment, and market dynamics in the coming years.
What do these global economic trends mean for North Macedonia and the region?
➡️ Learn more: http://wrld.bg/U7e050UHSEe

Significant developments are ahead as activity in the Western Balkans is projected to accelerate, with growth reaching 3.7% in 2025 and 3.9% in 2026. North Macedonia, alongside Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, is set to benefit significantly from increased private consumption and investment.
While the euro area’s growth may remain sluggish, the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans presents a transformative opportunity. This initiative could potentially double the size of the region’s economy within a decade, supporting EU accession, boosting infrastructure financing, and enhancing market integration through the Single Euro Payment Area initiative.
At Invest North Macedonia we’re committed to leveraging these opportunities, positioning our country as a key player in this economic expansion.

Strong cooperation with KOTRA to attract Korean investments to North Macedonia

The Director of the Agency, Refik Xhemaili, met with the Director of KOTRA’s office in Sofia, Rhee Dong-Hyun, who is also responsible for North Macedonia. During the meeting, they discussed the opportunities for investing in North Macedonia, highlighting the country’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location and favorable business conditions.

Regional Cooperation as a Key to Economic Development: Invest North Macedonia at the International Fair in Tirana!

The Director of Invest North Macedonia, Refik Xhemaili, participated in the Regional Cooperation Conference organized as part of the 30th International Fair in Tirana on November 6, 2024.

In the closing part of his speech, the Director called for strengthened collaboration, emphasizing that integration and partnerships are crucial for unlocking the economic potential of the Balkans. With robust regional cooperation, the Balkans can become a thriving hub for trade and investment, benefiting the entire region. He expressed confidence that through strategic efforts and dedication, the Balkans will position itself as a dynamic and prosperous trading region with significant influence on the global economy.