Skopje, 16 October 2023 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, held a working meeting Monday with the representatives of more than 30 foreign companies, members of the Foreign Investors Council at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia.

The meeting, held at the “Amphenol” company in Kochani, focused on several current economic issues and government policies that directly impact the work of foreign companies in the country.

According to a press release from his Office, Deputy Prime Minister Bytyqi stressed that the Government is demonstrating inclusivity and consistency in the creation of economic strategies and policies aimed at improving the economy’s competitiveness and laying firm foundations for its sustainable growth and development - a process which the foreign companies are an integral part of.

Speaking about the unification of policies on financial support for new investments, the Deputy PM said they would be further reinforced through amendments to the Law on Financial Support for Investments.

“What we managed to construct, to enable a One Stop Shop for your investments in line with the Law on Financial Support for Investments, and to enable you to receive 100 percent of payments, will be systemically guaranteed as of next year. We are drafting amendments to the Law which will provide additional predictability for the business environment in the country, i.e., legal provisions will be implemented with which you will be able to expect 100 percent of the financial support to be paid out. This won’t depend on anyone’s political will or decision,” said Bytyqi.

According to Bytyqi’s Office, dual education and the access to a qualified workforce were an additional topic discussed at the meeting, with the attendees jointly concluding that the access to a qualified workforce should be facilitated through changes to the existing legal and administrative procedure.

“Satisfaction was voiced at the end of the meeting over the continued dialogue with the representatives of foreign companies in the country, with the attendees jointly assessing that this is the only path that leads to further improvement of the business environment and its attractiveness for new investments,” said the Deputy PM’s Office in the press release.

Photo: Government of North Macedonia