Together we create a favorable business environment with a focus on infrastructure and better legislation for current and new investors

The Government Economic Team headed by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, on 17^th of December held an online meeting with the President of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia Branko Azeski and the Association of Foreign Companies with Technologically Advanced Production within the Council of Foreign Investors at the Chamber.

The meeting discussed the priority issues of foreign investors in several areas: legislation, customs rates, infrastructure, tax policies, labor relations, digitalization, and other issues aimed at improving the business climate.

Constant communication with investors is crucial for starting new investments, supporting export-oriented companies, strengthening human resources, and thus improving the overall economic growth in the country. To this end, measures are being taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in the short term, as well as plan for economic growth in the medium and long term.

https://vlada.mk/node/23590

Support for Macedonian Textile Companies

The Director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Dejan Pavleski, on 16^th December, visited three textile companies in the eastern region of the country as part of the agenda for ongoing support of the export oriented companies. As part of the visits, working meetings were also held with the management of the companies and Natasha Siveska – Executive Director of the Trade Textile Association – Textile Cluster.

Visited companies, Albatros from Stip, as well as Daniteks and Metas from Kocani, with products mainly intended for export are present on the markets in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Sweden, USA and Canada In 2018 and 2019 with the support of the Agency they had the opportunity to successfully present themselves at the national stand at the Munich Fabric Industry Fair – Munich Fabric Start, organized by the Agency, the Textile Cluster and SIPPO.

“As a result of the participation in the international fairs of the Macedonian companies, fully organized and supported by the Agency, the textile companies record an increase in exports. If our goal is to better the industry and the economy, we need to strengthen the export potential of domestic companies. This in turn means increasing their competitiveness and productivity as a result of investing in new technologies and know-how and good management practices. That is the only way we can ensure increase in their exports, strengthening of their brands and positioning in a number of foreign markets, and thus provide added value in the operations of the companies themselves. The positive trend and the active promotion of the export potentials of the domestic companies are our priority for 2021 as well,” -said the Director of the Agency, Dejan Pavleski.

The textile and leather industries are leaders and have a high share in the GDP, employment and total exports of the country. The total export of these industries in 2019 amounted to about 570 million euros. About 13% of the total industrial production belongs to the textile industry, and the industry employs over 37,000 people.

North Macedonia creates a favorable business climate, noticed 2020 Investment Climate Statement released by the US Department of State

Key advantages:

• legal framework for investment in accordance with international standards and equal treatment of foreign and domestic investors
• simplified regulatory framework for large foreign investors operating in the TIDZ

North Macedonia’s NATO membership and receiving an invitation to begin EU accession negotiations will increase the country’s economic growth.
Attracting FDI is one of the government’s main pillars for economic growth and job creation. As a result of competitive labor costs, low taxes, proximity to European automotive manufacturers and government assistance a number of US companies successfully operate in North Macedonia.
The social and economic crisis caused by COVID 19 significantly affects the growth of the Macedonian economy.
The government of the Republic of North Macedonia takes measures and activities for sustainable economic growth and makes projections that by the end of the year there will be greater stabilization of economic parameters in the country.

Link: https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-investment-climate-statements/north-macedonia/

New alternative ways of export promotion

A working meeting attended by representatives of companies from the Exporters’ Club at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia with Arben Vila, CEO of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion of the Republic of North Macedonia and representatives from the Agency.

Today, in the premises of the Economic Chamber of the Republic of North Macedonia, a working meeting was held which was attended by representatives of companies from the Exporters’ Club and representatives of ASIPIRSM, on defining priority activities for export support of domestic companies, in order to stimulate and promote export.

“I want to express our readiness for the realization of new joint projects and I expect that from today’s discussions specific requests, proposals and ideas will emerge that we will implement in our Proposed Budget for the following year, with the sole purpose of adding value to the export process and thus helping domestic companies “- stressed Arben Vila, in his address to the exporters.
Given the uncertainty about fairs and other common forms of promotion, business representatives gave their proposals and ideas with a request for further action by the Chamber of Commerce and the Agency.
“Due to the coronavirus crisis, most planned fairs by the end of 2020, and the beginning of 2021 has been canceled, which raises the need to reallocate funds planned to support the export activities of domestic companies,” said the President of the Exporters’ Club, Gligor Cvetanov. He added that in the coming period, companies will focus their activities on digitalization of processes and increase in competitiveness using online tools for promotion and product sales.
The present companies stated that in the coming period it is necessary to focus on activities to support companies in the field of digitalization and implementation of advanced technologies, attending virtual fairs, making online presentations and marketing strategies to promote Macedonian companies and brands on foreign markets, developing a strategy for entering online markets through online sales and providing greater support for increasing the competitiveness of domestic companies.
The new website of the Agency with the portal for export promotion was presented at the meeting, as well as the measures for financial support with an emphasis on Pillar 2 (Increased competitiveness of companies to conquer new markets and increase sales).

Invest Macedonia at the textile fair in London

Representatives of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion of the Republic of Macedonia, from the Export Promotion Sector, attend the textile fair Pure London origin, starting from 10th to 12th February 2019.

On the second day of the fair, a working meeting was held with the organizers of Pure London origin, which discussed the possibilities for organizing a national stand for textile companies from Macedonia for the next year.

The meeting was attended by Michael Richardson – manager of Pure London, Myriam Carnot Osborn, Head of Pure Origin and international sales. The meeting highlighted the importance of the UK market with high demand from the countries of our region, so the participation of some of the Macedonian textile companies.

The fair offers great opportunities for exhibitors where they meet a large number of retails, there are more than 60% international buyers who are ready for orders from exhibitors offering CM, CMT, Full business, and clothing brands.

Their stands from the closer countries have Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Greece.
Held in the heart of London alongside Pure London and Pure Man, Pure Origin will bring together all aspects of fashion sourcing and manufacturing under one spectacular roof at London’s Olympia. A convenient and cost effective way for buyers to meet with UK and international manufacturers.

Key brands and retailers that visit include Asos, White Stuff, Victoria Beckham, River Island, JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, and Selfridges.

Pure Origin allows buyers, designers and retailers to meet with manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world under one roof at London Olympia, it connects you to the right people and gives you the opportunity to network with industry experts.

https://www.purelondon.com/

Invest North Macedonia at the largest industrial fair in Germany

Invest North Macedonia takes part in the fair in Hanover, starting from April 1st to April 5th, with the support of domestic companies, for their participation in the largest industrial fair HANNOVER MESSE 2019.

Within the national stand and under the Invest North Macedonia logo, six Macedonian companies in the field of the electrical metal industry have the opportunity to present their products and organize meetings with other participants at the fair. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Prime Minister of Sweden addressed the opening of the fair.

HANNOVER MESSE 2019 is a set of six fairs on one platform. At the largest industrial fair in the world, with 6500 exhibitors from around the world on more than 200 000 m2, 15 companies from the Balkans took part, of which 6 are our domestic companies. HANNOVER MESSE is an ideal place for networking and new business.

The CEO of Invest North Macedonia, Mr. Vullnet Ademi, had a special interview with Radio Television Kosovo, in which he especially emphasized the role of the Agency in organizing and supporting Macedonian companies for participation in renowned world trade fairs from different industries, current and future projects of the Agency in the area of attracting foreign investments and support of the export of domestic companies. In addition, the CEO met with companies from different industries present at the fair and stressed the readiness and support for increasing the cooperation between domestic companies and companies in the region, especially German companies, European companies, and companies from China.

Within the fair, B2B meetings were held between all registered companies with previously organized meetings, in order to increase the cooperation in direction of increased exports, expanding business contacts with the companies – potential export partners in the EU countries, as well as meetings with many European companies and companies from China.
Our domestic companies will have the opportunity to find a full range of technical innovations across the entire value chain – from automation to supplier solutions, which involve many key decision-makers.
Invest North Macedonia will continue offering programs to support domestic companies in international markets, as well as organized participation in international fairs.

For more information visit https://www.hannovermesse.de/en/exhibition/facts-figures/