According to the UNCTAD latest Investment Policy Monitor, starting from May to December 2020, 15 countries signed International Investment Agreement (IIA).
The North Macedonia – United Kingdom Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 3rd of December 2020. The Agreement provides a framework for closer political dialogue and increased cooperation on important issues such as the environment, education, and human rights. By signing the Agreement, the UK has reaffirmed its commitment to a close relationship with North Macedonia and to playing a continued positive role in the region.
List of IIAs signed between 1 May 2020 and 31 December 2020
The Director of Invest North Macedonia, Dejan Pavleski had a meeting with the Director of the State Office of Industrial Property, Goran Gerasimovski. They discussed about protection of industrial property rights, one of the most important factors for companies that take into account if they want to invest in a foreign country. Guided by this, international companies analyze in detail the regulations and conditions for investing in a country. In that direction, in their export strategy, the companies should include industrial property, which increases the competitiveness in the export markets. This is extremely important for domestic companies with export potential because the protection of industrial property is one of the most important elements for the successful functioning of the single European market. The protection of industrial property, trademark or industrial design enables a favorable market position and loyal customers for their own products and services in foreign markets.
Statistically, countries with strong systems for the protection of industrial property rights attract more foreign investment compared to countries without existing protection regulations. Our country in this area is harmonized with international standards for protection of industrial property rights, providing effective legal protection to companies operating in the country.
Cooperation with the Greek Investment and Trade Agency will be achieved through maintaining frequent and regular contacts between the two agencies for joint exchange of economic and business information which would be provided through the exchange of business delegations, organization of trade missions, seminars, fairs and business forums.
In order to establish a practical framework for cooperation between the two agencies to promote investment and trade relations, a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of investment and foreign trade was signed today in Athens between Invest North Macedonia and ENTERPRISE GREECE, Official Investment and Trade Agency of the Hellenic Republic. In order to comply with the COVID protocols, the memorandum was signed at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries during the official visit of Minister Bujar Osmani to Greece.
The two parties will exchange information on trade policies, rules, regulations, procedures, subsidies and updates of statistical and business data on a regular basis which will be achieved through the exchange of publications, magazines and directories, as well as through joint research activities to facilitate mutual trade and joint projects.
The cooperation, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding on investment and trade cooperation, will be achieved through maintaining frequent and regular contacts between the two countries for joint exchange of economic and business information that is not confidential while supporting technical expertise, knowledge and opportunities. for training. The same would be achieved through research of business opportunities in both countries, organizing mutual visits for business cooperation, conferences, round tables, business trips to promote investment and trade opportunities in each country and other activities.
The organization of trade promotion activities would be ensured through the exchange of business delegates or trade missions, seminars, fairs and visits of experts to identify business potential and business opportunities.
Each party shall also assist the other party in organizing combined events related to business activities, merger and networking services in both countries and in a third country, which shall be mutually agreed upon.
The Memorandum of Understanding enters into force on the day of its signing and will be valid for a period of three years.
Soko Gorica Skopje is a family company with a long tradition in the production of fruit drinks, dating back to 1994. Production capacity of over 10 000 pieces / h. Holds ISO 22000 quality system certification and IFS implementation phase.
As recipients of financial aid from the Government in terms of capital investments growth and competitiveness, today was visited by the Director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Dejan Pavleski.
This visit was important for both parties for continuous and improved cooperation and support for innovative and new solutions that will increase production and thus the over all export of the country. In 2018, Soko Gorica signed an agreement for granting financial support with the Government for 5 (five) years for justified investment costs.
This support was a boost of the company which in fact is export-oriented and more than 95% of the products are placed on the markets in over 30 different countries, worldwide and employs 60 people who are dedicated to the production and sale of more than 30 million juices per year.
The Global Economic Prospects (GEP) is the World Bank’s semi-annual flagship publication on the state of the world economy. The global economy is expected to expand 4% in 2021, assuming an initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout becomes widespread throughout the year, the World Bank says in its January 2021 Global Economic Prospects.
Growth in the Western Balkans is expected to rebound to 3.5 percent in 2021, assuming that consumer and business confidence are restored as COVID-19 is brought under control and that political instability eases.
Analytical sections of the latest Global Economic Prospects report examine how the pandemic has amplified risks around debt accumulation; how it could hold back growth over the long term absent concerted reform efforts; and what risks are associated with the use of asset purchase programs as a monetary policy tool in emerging market and developing economies.
While the global economy appears to have entered a subdued recovery, policymakers face formidable challenges—in public health, debt management, budget policies, central banking and structural reforms—as they try to ensure that this still fragile global recovery gains traction and sets a foundation for robust growth,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “To overcome the impacts of the pandemic and counter the investment headwind, there needs to be a major push to improve business environments, increase labor and product market flexibility, and strengthen transparency and governance.”
Despite the global health and economic crisis, investor has announced new investments and new jobs
The Director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Dejan Pavleski visited the company Kostal, a German investment in Ohrid, where he met with the director of the company Viktor Mizo.
The visit is a follow-up if the meeting, ten days ago, of the government economic team with the Foreign Investors Couucil, and is in the context of the increased activities of the Agency in the sector of investor care.
Current operations and challenges in this period of crisis crisis that companies are facing was discussed at the meeting, and the initiative of the Agency to create a systemic solution to address issues affecting the work of investors was presented.
Pavleski stressed that the care for the already present investors is one of the priorities of the Agency because the investors, when they have a positive experience from working here, decide to expand their investments to stay here. It also means new jobs and additional stimulation of the local economy. Kostal is one such example with the recent expansion of the investment with a new production hall.
The director of Kostal, Victor Mizo, expressed satisfaction with the visit and put more emphasis on “investor care”, and especially welcomed the initiative of the Agency to create a systemic solution in this sector, noting that this will greatly facilitate the work of investors. As for Kostal’s work, he said that the company continues to implement the plans despite the global health and economic crisis, announcing the creation of 250 new jobs next year, after employing 330 new people in 2020. Additionally, new, more sophisticated lines for Kostal’s state-of-the-art products are planned to be launched globally.
“We work for BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Tesla and Rolls Royce, and from next year we will work on projects for Jaguar and Land Rover, which means that over 80% of our customers are premium car manufacturers. The plan for 2021 is revenue growth of about 70% and annual exports of over 100 million euros “- said Mizo
