Skopje, 9 May 2023 (MIA) – There have been enough conclusions, we will move on with concrete proposals for a national consensus on exports, said the President of the National Export Council and the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski on Tuesday.

Azeski visited the Johnson Matthey company in TIDZ Skopje 1, as the first activity of the National Export Council, the newly-established body consisting of representatives from the Government institutions and the private sector.

“Only five percent of Macedonian companies are exporting. This is a devastating figure,” said Azeski, noting that changing this situation is the first basic task of the National Export Council.

According to Azeski, very few companies in the country are connected to the supply chains of foreign investors. 

Azeski assessed that export is crucial for Macedonia’s existence and said that priorities must be drawn up in support of it. “This is why the Council’s first visit is to the largest exporting company in Macedonia ‘Johnson Matthey’, which is demonstrating how the rest of our national institutions and companies who have access to the open market, should position themselves.”

Azeski said that only 440 products possess comparative advantages and this is one of the goals which should be upgraded.

“My general assessment is that both we and the political stakeholders in the country, are moving towards a process for determining priorities and reaching consensus. It is crucial that we reach an agreement over the economy as a key priority in the next 10 years, and support for export in the next 10 years as a key component for progress, but also regional cooperation,” said Azeski, who, among other things, said that the business community should participate in the conception of legislation.