Skopje, 31 May 2023 (MIA) — The government is focused on aligning its policies with the EU market, encouraging competition and innovation, and mitigating the consequences of the energy crisis, which accelerated several reform processes, according to Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs Bojan Marichikj in his introductory presentation during Wednesday's bilateral screening meeting in Brussels on Chapter 20: Enterprise and Industry Policy.

Deputy PM Marichikj, who is the country's chief negotiator with the EU, said aligning with EU policies and standards has contributed to the development of the Macedonian economy.

"The government adopted an ambitious plan for accelerated growth between 2022 and 2026. Coupling financing and a higher private investment are at the plan's core, with several instruments focused mainly on small and medium-sized enterprises, horizontally linked to the digital and green agenda," Marichikj said.

According to the Secretariat of European Affairs press release, Marichikj also discussed several key reforms related to Chapter 20 aimed at helping domestic companies reach European standards and be more competitive.

He highlighted the state's Economic Growth Plan and Industrial Policy Action Plan created to boost the competitiveness of the economy, internationalization, innovation and smart specialization.

The National Small and Medium Enterprise Strategy, he noted, contained the ten principles of the EU's Small Business Act, confirming the government's commitment to aligning state policies with those outlined in the EU's strategic documents.

The more North Macedonia complies with the standards and principles of developed European economies, the more foreign and domestic investments the country will have, which would make the Macedonian economy more competitive on the international market, he said.

One of the country's achievements Marichikj also mentioned was North Macedonia's participation in the Single Market Program 2021-2027. He said the state's plans were to continue developing and implementing measures and instruments in line with EU principles related to industrial policy focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises. He added that administrative and institutional capacities would be strengthened, policy strategies and measures monitored and evaluated, and regulations further aligned with the EU's Late Payment Directive.

The bilateral screening meeting on Enterprise and Industrial Policy resumes on Thursday.

Next week, the bilateral screening meetings will focus on Chapter 17: Economic and Monetary Policy and Chapter 29: Customs Union, both under Cluster 3: Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth. mr/