Skopje, 16 September 2024 (MIA) - Export of products by German investors in the country to Germany has been on the rise in the last decade, with an evident stagnation during the pandemic years.

Antje Wandelt, head of AHK North Macedonia, said Monday that German investors mainly export high-end components for the automotive industry, as well as seats for buses, trains, and cars, various medical equipment, and special copper cables used in industrial production. Sophisticated coffee machines and hair dryers are manufactured here for the German market.

"We are glad that German investors in recent years achieved greater diversification in terms of the type of investment realized here," said Wandelt before the start of a business breakfast in Skopje, organized by the Macedonian-German Economic Association.

In a statement to the media, she said they were well received by the new Macedonian government and that in addition to today's event, they had an open and constructive cooperation in previous months.

"Cooperation between North Macedonia and Germany is close and intense, and we would like to further strengthen cooperation with the new Macedonian government. Our goal is to get existing investors in the country to invest again, while our common goal is to attract new German investments. Recently, the Prime Minister and I attended the launch of the reinvestment of German company Kiel and new investment of BMZ into a plant for the production of batteries," Wandelt stressed.

She noted it is very important to build supply chains and that there are quality Macedonian companies that can become suppliers for German companies.

"There are companies working in the metal processing industry, steel production, and we believe these companies can compete as supplier companies on the German market," Wandelt explained.

She also said that in order to achieve the set goals, certain challenges must be overcome, i.e., attention should be paid to sustainability in industrial production, maintaining and introducing standards, commitment to green energy, as retaining expert personnel in the country and providing necessary conditions for them.

"We look forward to an open dialogue with the Macedonian government, constructive cooperation and this event is a step further in that cooperation," AHK head said.

PM Hristijan Mickoski announced three more investments by the end of the year, in addition to the four that have been agreed upon at the start of the new Government.

The investments, he added, "will drastically increase economic activity and positively impact GDP growth in 2025 and in the coming years."

Mickoski emphasized that with today's business breakfast he wants to send a message that the Government and the business community are partners and they should continue to do so in the future.

"We've shown on many occasions that as the new government we're trying to build an exceptionally high-quality relationship with the business community. You will often see me at meetings in the Economic Chamber, which is a main priority for the work of the new Government, rule of law, honest work, and support for the business; that is how we help each other, ensure more budget funds for the realization of more capital investments," Mickoski noted.

Regarding the trade exchange between North Macedonia and Germany, the PM said it exceeds EUR 5 billion, and more than 25,000 Macedonian citizens are employed in German companies.

"I expect the number to rise. As a Government, we started several investments, which Wandelt addressed. We expect another one, a Belgian-German company very soon, but in the coming period we expect existing companies to make new investments and expand, thus strengthening the companies' portfolio. The Government will do everything in its power to help, because there is no greater pleasure for me or the Government members than seeing new jobs, being able to help another Macedonian citizen stay here, at home, instead of moving away. New and well paid jobs reflect a better standard," Mickoski stressed.

Macedonian-German Economic Association president Mirjana Simonovska Kjuka stated that they are the largest bilateral business association with 175 member-companies that contribute to strengthening the German-Macedonian economic relations.

"We are pleased with the large attendance of German investors in the country, which is of key importance for the growing economic ties between our two countries," Simonovska said.

The Macedonian-German Economic Association and AHK North Macedonia announced they will mark the 25 anniversary of their presence in the country in the course of next spring. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA