By Branko Azeski, President of the Economic Chamber

-       Eight Macedonian companies, organized by the Exporters' Club, are promoting their products at the food fair in Athens, Greece.

-       In Slovenia, capacities for sustainable tourism will be enhanced by analyzing the Slovenian system, with the potential to implement successful practices in Macedonian tourist destinations, offering sustainable products and solutions.

-       In Belgrade, the Chambers of the Western Balkans discussed and defined priority activities of significance for businesses, which should be supported through the continuation of the European Commission's project on the regional common market.

-       On 27 March 2025, the WB6 CIF Management Board and Business Council companies (from all Western Balkan countries) will meet in Brussels with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. The meeting aims for Business Council member companies to share their views on regional business integration and the challenges of establishing a common regional market and closer integration with the EU single market. The focus will be on trade in goods and services, investments, access to finance, and the green transition.

That the Chamber works continuously and actively is evident from the images below, showcasing just a fraction of the events organized in the first two months of this year. At the end of this text, you’ll find a brief explanation of each event.

1.     Problems started in Podgorica in February when, after a long time, the WB6 CIF Management Board finally gathered in full composition.

2.     Problems escalated with the initiatives of the new U.S.A. President, which will undoubtedly have serious implications for business. One thing is clear: the Europe Club within the Chamber will be revitalized, with five ambassadors of EU member states in Skopje and ten leading mid-generation entrepreneurs.

3.     Bulgarian President Radev, at The Economist’s annual conference in Sofia, delivered strong criticism of the EU but also extended a hand to the initiative for a business meeting between Bulgarian and Macedonian companies as soon as possible.

4.     Chamber President Azeski characterized the Constitutional Court's annulment of the Law on Solidarity Tax as confirmation that the business community's arguments were justified from the start.

5.     Two major projects with the Government are in discussion: one to halt brain drain from Macedonia and another to support exports—a prime example of public-private sector cooperation.

6.     Alongside the fight against brain drain, the Chamber is launching an additional initiative through a Platform for Combating Emigration and Bringing Youth Back Home.

7.     Great respect for our Chamber was expressed by Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, a doyen of the global chamber movement, who, accompanied by ten presidents of regional chambers from Türkiye, attended the ABC General Assembly in Skopje, where the topic of Balkan infrastructure was discussed.

8.     The Business Club continues. One of its editions featured Natasha Janevska, M.A., who, as a Chamber representative, significantly contributed to the dual education project and educational reform. From just 11 companies participating five years ago, the number reached around560 companies in the 2023/2024 academic year.

9.     The monograph of GS1, the global standardization system, was published to mark 30 years of its presence in Macedonia. The monograph’s promotion will take place soon.