Branding for a new added value in the textile industry

The Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion held a working meeting on “Branding of textile companies in the Republic of North Macedonia”.

The meetings covered the course of investment activities and plans for growth and development of companies, as well as the promotion of cooperation aimed at connecting existing investors with domestic companies.

The meeting was attended by textile companies, members of the textile cluster who have already undertaken activities for the development of their brand who gave their proposals and challenges to the sector, as well as how the Agency could be involved in achieving such goals., with the common goal of increasing exports.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on how to add new value to the textile industry and how to conquer new markets.

One of the main conclusions of the working meeting was that the increase of value can be done only by establishing our own brands, overcoming logistical challenges, procurement of modern equipment and organized appearance on foreign markets.

In the future, the agency will initiate meetings of this kind and will support ideas that will mean new added value to companies.

Dejan Pavleski visited two companies – beneficiaries of financial support

The Director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion Dejan Pavleski, on 18^th of December visited two companies – Texport and Cafe di Artisan, successful foreign direct investments and beneficiaries of financial support from the Government with a total investments of €4М in the last two years.

Тhe course of investment activities and plans for growth of the companies was discussed, as well as the promotion of cooperation aimed at connecting existing investors with domestic supliers.

“Cooperation with investors after starting their business is very important to us because we understand the ever-changing business needs as an operation grows, and to that effect, we pledge to collaborate closely with the companies to facilitate that growth. These visits aim to determine the success, but also the problems and business requirements of the companies, and our Aftercare Department will continue to cater to their needs and resolve any issues that may ensue,” said Director Pavleski.

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).