At the official opening of the Entrepreneurship Week, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, addressed the audience via video message, stressing the need for the state to create necessary conditions for development of entrepreneurship, quality and applicable education that will foster entrepreneurial spirit and will strengthen entrepreneurial skills among young people:

Dear Friends,

As President of the Republic of Macedonia, I am really proud to represent a state that respects principles which provide for economic development and exploitation of individuals’ potential. Namely, I refer to the right of everyone to enjoy the fruits of his labor, the right to private property, maintenance of a security frame in which everyone is free to work and thrive. These values which are the foundation of prosperity of every nation are deeply rooted in the Macedonian citizens as well. But to respect these principles is not always easy. Independent and democratic Macedonia had to pass through a long and difficult reform process to build a modern legal framework in the field of economy. But we are aware that private economic initiative is the main driving force of growth. It has the power to elevate individuals and families, cities and entire states from poverty.

Entrepreneurship cannot endure without democracy. The only political system that allows rapid and stable economic development is the system which respects individual human rights and freedoms, both in terms of politics and economy. Therefore, the support for entrepreneurship has its humane mission. Society whose citizens live of their labor, whose citizens invest, employ people, work to improve their position - such a society is stable, democratic and progressive. Such a society offers future to its citizens, and the society itself will have a future and prosperity.

Nowadays we are faced with a serious crisis, with severe challenges for the economic order. If something good comes out of the state in which the majority of best developed countries in the world is, it will be a reminder of the values and principles that are in the heart of the progress. We must remember that economic freedom, free and open market, respect for labor and hard work are not given once and for all, but these are values that must be kept. With independent control mechanisms, common sense economic policies, as well as with initiatives like this that contribute to promoting entrepreneurship culture among young people.

On our behalf, as a state, we must create the necessary conditions for development of entrepreneurship: solid infrastructure, quality and applicable education, sound legal framework and predictability in the actions of regulatory institutions. We must be open to calls for reforms in state institutions, in order to be committed to the needs of citizens and to promote their business projects and plans. Macedonia spent much time and faced important reforms in modernizing and improving the work of the judiciary, in reducing procedures in public administration and in legalization of illegally constructed buildings. We take pride of the modern tax system that has proven to be successful in providing funds for the legitimate needs of the state institutions, without causing damage to the economy. We have modernized the public education to ensure that the youngest are armed with skills and knowledge that will be of benefit in their lives. Our reforms are not unnoticed; Macedonia has seen significant economic growth and manages to resist the economic crisis challenges. But the challenges ahead are significant, and lost time must be compensated. Therefore, I welcome the initiative to celebrate the Entrepreneurship Week, hoping that each day will be dedicated to the liberation of human energy and initiative.