Macedonian–Slovak Business Forum: Strategic Partnership for Investment and Trade

With a clear goal of strengthening economic cooperation between North Macedonia and Slovakia, the Macedonian–Slovak Business Forum was held today in Skopje, co-organized by the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia. The event brought together over 50 companies from both countries, along with representatives of key institutions and business associations.

A key outcome of the Forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion (Invest North Macedonia) and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), signed by the Directors Refik Xhemaili and Egon Zorád. This establishes a stronger institutional framework for joint promotion, information exchange, and support to investors and export-oriented companies.

The Forum provided a direct platform for connecting the business communities through B2B and B2G meetings, networking and matchmaking, initiating concrete discussions on investments, joint projects, and export partnerships. The presentations on investment opportunities and export potential of North Macedonia, with a focus on high value-added sectors, reaffirmed the country’s position as a competitive and stable investment destination in the region.

The Forum was officially opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia, Timcho Mucunski, and the Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic, Ladislav Kamenický, sending a strong message of political support and strategic commitment to deepening bilateral economic relations.

The Agency remains firmly committed to attracting quality foreign investments, promoting exports, and strengthening the competitiveness of the Macedonian economy, through active support to companies in the realization of concrete projects and sustainable partnerships.

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.