Skopje, 17 February 2022 (MIA) – We will continue to build an even stronger trade relationship between the UK and North Macedonia. Renewable energy, infrastructure, environmental and waste management projects as well as alternative and green finance – these are just a few of the sectors where we could all benefit from expanding our partnerships, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Western Balkans Martin Vickers said in a video message. During his three-day visit to North Macedonia, Vickers had an opportunity to speak to Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski, as well as Deputy Ministers Hristina Odzaklieska and Zoran Manevski, and visited the country's largest British companies Johnson Matthey and SASA mine. According to Vickers, the trade relations and volume between the UK and North Macedonia are among the best in the Western Balkans. North Macedonia, he noted, is our largest trading partner and we are keen on strengthening these ties and continuing to work with the Government of North Macedonia to improve the business climate. The UK is increasing its trade activities and pursuing more commercial opportunities in the Western Balkans, he said in a video message. “We are continuously striving to build upon the Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement and further develop the economic relations between our two countries. We encourage trade by promoting export opportunities, industry capability and expertise. We attract and support investments on both sides and also through the UK Foreign Direct Investment ecosystem. We work to reduce barriers for exporters and investors through procedural assistance and support. British investments in North Macedonia are among the most significant and most successful business ventures in the country, leading the way through economic results, good governance and corporate and social responsibility,” Vickers said. “Renewable energy, infrastructure, environmental and waste management projects as well as alternative and green finance – these are just a few of the sectors where we could all benefit from expanding our partnerships, and where the UK has a considerable amount of experience and world-leading capabilities,” he added. The UK has been supporting North Macedonia in diversifying its energy supply. Through the UK Good Governance Fund, we supported the Government for development of an energy strategy which enabled North Macedonia to come to #COP26 with ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions, he said. “We continue to actively showcase British industry expertise and capability to relevant projects and stakeholders in the country, promote Britain as a preferential trading and investment partner of North Macedonia and promote UK Export Finance as an active partner in financing of development projects in the country and driving our bilateral trade. A closer trading relationship can turbocharge both our economies, drive-up investment and improve the lives of all our citizens. We will continue to build an even stronger trade relationship between the UK and North Macedonia,” Vickers said in a video message.