Address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at the Macedonia-Kosovo Business Forum held within the official visit of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli to the Republic of Macedonia.

Your Excellency, Mr. Pacolli,
Distinguished Ministers,
Respected Businessmen,

It is a great honour for me to participate at this business forum. At the very beginning, I would like to thank and congratulate the organizers of this event, the businessmen from both countries, who confirm, with their participation, their desire to deepen the economic cooperation between our countries.

The Republic of Kosovo is very important commercial partner of the Republic of Macedonia. I sincerely hope the number of companies having established cooperation to be increased in the upcoming period. I am convinced that there are favourable conditions for this. First and foremost, the good political relations enable us, the leadership of both countries, to remove the barriers and to create conditions for undisturbed development of the cooperation. The economic cooperation between our two countries is realized within the CEFTA agreement. And, perhaps most importantly, I think that in the Republic of Macedonia there are excellent products that can be introduced at the markets in Kosovo, which are demanded by Kosovo consumers.


Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the positive trend of recognition between our economies and our businessmen speaks the work done thus far. The results achieved in 2010, compared to the results achieved in the same period in 2009, indicate an increase in the total exchange between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo by 41%. If in 2009 the trade exchange was $ 324 million U.S. Dollars last year, in 2010, the exchange reached $ 459 million U.S. Dollars. However, we should not be satisfied with the achievements because we can always achieve more.

I believe that success always brings new success. Therefore, our common goal is to use the opportunities to enhance the cooperation in all fields. I welcome and support the idea that the best and most effective way to intensify the economic cooperation between our countries is to support the activities of the chambers of commerce and to establish direct ties between businessmen of the two countries. Therefore, I consider today's event an excellent opportunity to intensify the business contacts and continue with the implementation of the specific business projects.

Indeed, I expect the already signed agreement for economic cooperation to enable the companies of both countries to participate in capital investment projects, especially in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, tourism field. I expect you, as businessmen, to look for new forms of cooperation at a higher level, to appear jointly at third markets, for joint ventures. Be assured that you shall always enjoy our support.


Dear businessmen,

The Government of the Republic of Macedonia is constantly working to improve the business climate and working conditions both for domestic and foreign companies. Our goal is economic growth, private sector development, attracting investments and creating job opportunities.

The Republic of Macedonia has a longstanding macroeconomic stability with a low inflation rate, which in average is 2% in the last 10 years. We have balanced public finances with low budget deficit, stable exchange rate and low public debt, which amount to 32.5% of the gross domestic product. In the past three years series of reforms regarding the labour market were implemented and active measures for employment were introduced thus the unemployment rate declined by about 4%.

The total amount of foreign direct investments in the Republic of Macedonia in the period from 1998 to 2009 is about 3 billion Euros, which is a confirmation for the comprehensive reforms in order to improve the overall business climate. With the achieved results in the last three years, Macedonia has been included among the top reformers, according to the renowned “Doing Business” report of the World Bank for South - East Europe.


Based on the improved business climate and on the promotion activities of the Republic Macedonia as a business destination in the technological industrial development zone in Skopje, renowned foreign companies such as Johnson Kontols and Johnson Matthey have invested. Additional three technological industrial development zones in Stip, Tetovo and Skopje were opened. These zones offer a range of favourable conditions, attracting investors in the most advanced industries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global economic and financial crisis has adversely affected the real sector and the investments in our two countries. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia adopted four packages of anti-crisis measures in the interest of alleviating the negative consequences. These results, combined with the reduction of unemployment demonstrate that Macedonia managed to overcome the crisis with the least possible consequences. We have achieved the third best economic result in South-East Europe in the last three years, according to the gross domestic product, and we have prevented the negative consequences affecting the labour market.


Therefore, once again, I would like to stress that it is necessary to intensify the cooperation between our countries, both at intergovernmental level and at the level of chambers of commerce and companies. It is all in the interest of further deepening of mutual economic cooperation aimed at achieving the commitment for greater economic growth and development of our economies.

At the end, allow me to conclude that this business forum is a proof of the permanent support for the business sector by the governments of both countries. We remove the barriers and create conditions for undisturbed development of cooperation. I believe that this event will result in concrete deals in the interest of both countries, primarily in the interest of the businessmen from Macedonia and Kosovo.

I wish you successful work.

Thank you.