The latest episode of the Business Club podcast features a conversation between Branko Azeski, President of the Economic Chamber, and Marija Kumbaroska-Vanbesin, MBE, a trusted advisor for strategic executive and board appointments at the consulting firm Korn Ferry in Brussels. The discussion covers the fundamental principles of state governance, education, and plans to position Ohrid as an attractive European tourist destination.

Speaking about the core principles of state functioning, Kumbaroska-Vanbesin emphasized the need for substantial efforts to establish a strong legal state, as it directly influences economic growth, workforce retention, and the return of young professionals to build their careers in their home country. She added that if the country has a properly functioning legal state, young people will feel less uncertain about staying. She compared the situation to Belgium, where she currently works, noting that while Belgium has a more developed legal system, it still has drawbacks—particularly in terms of its complex and extensive administration, which makes the judiciary cumbersome but still effective.

The conversation also touched on corruption, with Kumbaroska-Vanbesin stating that corruption exists everywhere but is particularly pronounced in Macedonia and that significant efforts are needed to combat it. Comparing it to Belgium, she noted that the Belgian system prioritizes transparency, discouraging cash transactions and instead promoting electronic payments, which makes corruption more difficult. She added that the same approach could be applied in our country to reduce corruption.

In the second part of the podcast, Kumbaroska-Vanbesin, who studied at Fontys University in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and earned a master’s degree from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, stated that education needs to be elevated to a higher level, as previous reforms have not yielded the desired results. She explained that higher education should focus on developing skills through direct engagement with companies and organizations. She pointed out that working with superiors in a real business environment, handling specific tasks, and analyzing case studies have a proven impact on acquiring knowledge and skills.

"Knowledge in the Netherlands is not acquired from books, rather from practice and case studies. From the very first class, we were sent to companies to work with management teams on strategic and export plans for specific markets. This is crucial in business because you learn through practice. Compared to Macedonia’s education system, the difference is vast. In the Netherlands, everything is hands-on, everything is case studies, and students engage with businesses from the earliest days of their studies," pointed out Marija Kumbaroska-Vanbesin in the latest episode of the Business Club podcast with Branko Azeski.

Kumbaroska-Vanbesin also compared Belgium’s system, which strongly supports young people during their education, stating that everything is planned in advance and that it is rare for someone to remain unemployed after completing their studies.

“In Belgium, the system works, with students receiving financial support through grants and scholarships, and higher education being of a very high standard. Upon graduation, career paths are clearly mapped out,” she emphasized.

She added that education is one of the key factors in restoring young people’s confidence in the country and encouraging them to stay.

When asked what Macedonia should do to make Ohrid a more attractive tourist destination, Kumbaroska-Vanbesin stated that investment in infrastructure is essential, along with the construction of new hotels, as Ohrid already holds a significant place on the European tourism map. She added that promoting Ohrid through cultural events is also crucial, highlighting that emphasizing the city's authenticity and rich history is key, as European tourists appreciate destinations with a strong cultural identity. She also noted that Ohrid could be further promoted as a tourist center through strategic tourism plans.

Marija Kumbaroska-Vanbesin served as an advisor to the President of the Economic Chamber from 2022 to 2024.