Skopje, 6 September 2021 (MIA) - While large companies are able to maneuver through bureaucracies and make significant investments in North Macedonia, smaller companies find this business environment difficult. So ensuring that procurement processes are transparent and establishing a professional bureaucracy that’s able to work with companies on routine issues will improve the overall business environment and attract additional foreign direct investments not only to North Macedonia, but throughout the region, US Ambassador to North Macedonia Kate Byrnes told a panel on Monday during the “Economic Recovery and Growth beyond COVID” conference. According to the Ambassador, the Macedonian economy has proven that it can adapt and thrive even in pandemic conditions, with several companies expanding their existing facilities and others deciding to establish themselves here. “Automotive companies with over 10,000 jobs have increased their investments in North Macedonia and are expanding its production capacities and plan to add over 1,000 employees here in 2022. Digitalization and e-commerce is also expanding at a rapid pace. Though COVID has prevented the kind of in-person exchanges, tech companies that are operating here have found ways to ensure people can continue to conduct business safely. Food delivery companies quickly added contactless delivery options and expanded their list of partners which has helped many restaurants and other hospitality sector industries stay afloat,” Byrnes noted. She also praised the government for swiftly implementing job-saving measures. “Even in the earliest days of the pandemic, with supplies running short, North Macedonia’s clothing countries quickly moved to rapidly begin mask production, while distillers here were producing disinfectants. NGOs supported vulnerable categories, while the government moved very swiftly to implement wide-ranging economic stimulus measures that protected jobs and supported unemployed workers. Your economy can adapt and as it showed, even thrive, when challenged. The will and the energy is here to not only come out of this crisis stronger, but to lay foundations for a kind of economy moving forward that will provide great opportunities for citizens. The Unite States will continue to co-invest in your success, because your success is important to our broader strategic partnership,” the Ambassador stressed. North Macedonia, she added, has also worked on improving infrastructure on Corridors VIII and X. “This will be another boon for North Macedonia and also for the region. Many tech companies have found success in North Macedonia as well, and reducing restrictions and administrative burdens in this sector can lead to even greater innovation, jobs and prosperity,” Byrnes said. Moreover, she added that we need to encourage the country’s youth not just to be present in North Macedonia, but to also be active participants in economic recovery. In regard to regional economy, Byrnes stressed during the panel, the need for establishing better standards for citizens, clients and business partners, facilitating their communication.