Skopje, 12 February 2024 (MIA) – The opportunities for export in the European Union are completely filled up, which is why we need to look for other countries where we would place our products according to the quality and the price. These are the countries of North Africa and the former Soviet republics, efforts should also be taken over a joint participation in third markets within the framework of the joint initiative of the Western Balkans chambers of commerce, as well as joint participation in fairs, said the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski, at a session of the National Export Council on Monday.

Azeski, who also chairs the National Export Council, stressed that free-trade agreements should be signed with the countries in order to diversify exports.

“The goal is to methodologically begin implementation and start solving issues with new tools, new instruments that we will implement. I think that it’s clear to everyone in Macedonia what export means. Without exports, Macedonia would not be able to continue to exist. And the goal of this body is to see how we can increase them,” said Azeski.

Azeski said an Export Institute is expected to be established within the end of the year, as part of a USAID project in which the Council operates. Through informal education, he said, the Institute would help create specialized staff, practitioners and managers which domestic businesses need in order to increase their exports.

“The reason for that is simple. Currently, 70-80 percent of the Macedonian exports are headed to the EU, while 70-80 percent of those are to a single country – Germany. At the same time, 70-80 percent of the country’s total export is a result of just one company – Johnson Matthey. At the moment, this is working, but we must diversify,” said Azeski.

Photo: MIA