Skopje, 1 August 2024 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, Aleksandar Nikoloski, met Thursday with the President of the 4iG Group, Gellért Jászai, as part of his official visit to Budapest.  

According to a press release from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, at the meeting the President of the 4iG Group expressed serious interest in analyzing the conditions for entry into the country’s telecommunications market and providing services in mobile and fixed line telephony, in line with the Group’s strategy to expand its presence in the countries of the Western Balkans.

“We believe that the established experience of the 4iG Group in the telecommunications industry, combined with its expertise in regional frameworks, can be efficiently used on the Macedonian market as well. This initiative promises numerous benefits for both sides and could be especially beneficial for the citizens of Macedonia, because both Macedonia and the 4iG Group share a joint vision of a connected and digitally advanced society,” Minister Nikoloski said.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance and development of digital infrastructure for economic and social progress. 

“In line with Macedonia’s plans for sustainable development by 2030, the President of the 4iG Group expressed interest in cooperating on projects in communication infrastructure, highlighting potential investments in state-of-the-art technologies aimed at improving connectivity between urban and rural areas in Macedonia,” the press release said.

The initiative, according to the Ministry, “aims to improve the experience of clients, promote sustainability, create new opportunities for work and stimulate economic growth.”

“We are willing to contribute to the development of the telecommunication sector in Macedonia and encourage positive changes through technology. Regarding our ambition for entry into the Macedonian telecommunication market, in the next few weeks we will begin cooperation with the Government of Macedonia to formalize this process in detail,” Jászai said after his meeting with Nikoloski.

The Ministry noted that the 4iG Group is the second-largest telecommunication operator in Hungary and a leading IT systems integrator, with a growing investment portfolio in the sector of space and defense industry. “In 2022, the 4iG Group expanded in the Western Balkans telecommunication markets by establishing significant positions in Montenegro and Albania, by launching their own telecommunications brand – ONE,” it said.

In addition to ongoing investments, according to the Ministry, the 4iG Group in cooperation with Telecom Egypt intends to install a high-capacity underwater data transmission cable connecting Egypt and Albania.

“This project can bring additional benefits for Macedonia by boosting the country’s digital and economic growth,” the Ministry said. 

Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communications