Business sector wants SMEs to be export-oriented, municipal spending to be supervised
Skopje, 25 July 2024 (MIA) - Let's motivate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be export oriented. Permanent investments are crucial for the Macedonian economy, opening of jobs and export, the business sector told Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Thursday.
Businesses said focus must be placed on energy, especially renewable sources, base energy and batteries, whereas the Government must supervise the spending of funds allocated to municipalities.
PM Mickoski said the Government continues to be a partner of the business, it would help as much as possible, while urging companies to take part in the realization of capital investments in municipalities and apply for the financial support, especially the one from Hungary that will be available as of September.
The PM assured companies that spending of funds allocated to municipalities would be carefully monitored, noting that funds would not be transferred at once but in stages, with local authorities required to submit invoices for each phase of the project.
"We have the legislation in place and we maybe are the richest country when it comes to laws, we top the list in the region according to export of people and nowhere to be found when it comes to production. Export-oriented SMEs should be the backbone of our economy. We must change our relationship with SMEs and motivate them to make exports," said "ASP-PAK" owner Petar Spaseski.
According to him, another paradox is the fact that the country spends EUR 200 million only for export of agriculture products and food but imports EUR 1 billion-worth of such products.
Mickoski told businessmen that transparency and accountability will be one of the Government's priorities.
"Citizens will be able to follow the projects' daily and monthly realization, the contracting company, the beneficiary municipality, the project's purpose at a specific website. Projects in the energy sector have been unstuck and are gradually implemented. Please report any threats or blackmails, you have my phone," said Mickoski.
Photo: MIA and Government
