Skopje, 5 March 2024 (MIA) – Equality in the offering of products and services for the needs of the Alliance, increased participation in the NATO market and pooling of industry capabilities are some of the recommendations heard at Tuesday's Industry Day held in Skopje, which brings together top officials of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), as well as representatives of economic chambers, Macedonian companies and the academic community. 

According to the Minister of Defence, Slavjanka Petrovska, in addition to security, NATO membership has another dimension, which is the opportunity for Macedonian companies to compete equally with all other companies in the member countries in terms of offering products and services for the needs of the Alliance.

"It is a significant market worth around EUR 5 billion per year. We must not miss it. We must be ambitious, compete with quality and capacity, and prove that Macedonian companies, in terms of technology and development, can meet the demands and be competitive with the companies in allied countries," said Petrovska. 

She added that she was pleased by the fact that every year sees an increase in the interest of companies in the Republic of North Macedonia to register in the records of economic operators confirmed to fulfil conditions for participation in procurement procedures for the needs of NATO and the member states.

"Our next challenge is increased participation in the NATO market. The Ministry of Defence is a partner that stands ready to help companies access this market," she said. 

NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) General Manager Stacey Cummings noted that they are the link between NATO Allies, the Alliance itself and the industries.

"Last year, the Secretary General said indeed, without industry, there is no deterrence and no defence. Joining industry capabilities from all Alliance countries together to promote the technology, support and progress of the Alliance is critical," said Cummings. 

She added that they are looking at the next generation of defence systems, as well as providing support in terms of energy, power, food and everything needed to maintain exercises and the deterrence and defence position.

"In 2023, we concluded contracts worth EUR 10.6 billion. We respect the competition that exists in all NATO member countries because we believe that it is the best way to get the best products and results for the Alliance, at the best price," she said. 

NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) Director of Acquisition Jennifer Upton said the country still has untapped potential in terms of industrial capabilities to support the Alliance.

"Although our Agency has not yet signed an agreement with the industries in North Macedonia, we are optimistic that this will soon change, and that is one of the reasons I am here today. I look forward to connecting with various companies and you to discuss business opportunities during my briefing and bilateral meetings scheduled for later in the day," she said. 

She added that though NATO is not the easiest business environment, the Agency is here to provide support.

"NATO relies on innovation and state-of-the-art technology from across the Alliance to help NATO complete its technological advantage. To be able to do that, we need the guidance and support of our countries and more than ever we need you, the experts, the innovators and entrepreneurs from the industrial base," Upton noted.

According to her, industry plays a very important role in credible deterrence and defence, and the aim is to encourage the industry and non-profit organizations to learn about and explore the opportunities NATO has for their work and expertise.

Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi pointed out that the event is of special importance, given that domestic companies today will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the processes, rules and regulations for tender purchases in the alliance.

"This highlights our commitment to deepening political and security relations with NATO, but it also signals a willingness to expand these relations in the economic domain. NATO is of course much more than a political and security alliance. It also contains an economic network of opportunities, the use of which depends to the greatest extent on us. Domestic companies are given the opportunity to participate in tender procedures estimated at billions of euros," said the Deputy PM. 

He said he was pleased that there are already examples of companies from NATO member countries that are interested in investing in North Macedonia.

North Macedonia's NATO membership opened up an opportunity for Macedonian companies to participate in the NATO market worth around EUR 5 billion per year. In order to support companies in the process of obtaining the necessary certificates for participation in tenders on the NATO market, the Ministry created a Company Support Centre. 

The Centre allows for registration of economic operators confirmed to fulfil conditions for participation in procurement procedures for the needs of NATO and the member states. Following the NATO membership, every year sees an increase in the interest of Macedonian companies to register in the records of economic operators. If eight companies were registered in 2021, and 11 in 2022, last year in 2023, 21 companies were registered in the records, while in the first two months of 2024 alone, the number of companies is four. So far, a total of 44 companies have been registered in the records of economic operators.

Photo: MIA