Skopje, 20 April 2026 (MIA) - Macedonia and Kazakhstan signed Monday an agreement on setting up a bilateral business council and a memorandum for promotion of trade and economic cooperation, aimed at strengthening economic ties and increasing trade exchange.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Zoran Dimitrovski, and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, attended the signing ceremony, held within a business forum in the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia.

Minister Shakkaliyev, who met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski earlier in the day, told the forum that Kazakhstan is open to support investment projects and initiatives.

"The cooperation between Kazakhstan and Macedonia is based on mutual interest. The current exchange is modest but with lots of room for improvement. There is enormous potential in agriculture, digital solutions, logistics and industry. Macedonia has a strategic geographic position and represents an important link to markets in the Balkans and Southeast Europe. We remain committed to improving the business environment through simplification of procedures, whereas establishment of the business council is an important step in this direction, promoting direct dialogue between the countries' business communities," said Shakkaliyev.

Deputy FM Dimitrovski said the documents that both countries signed today represent the institutional architecture that is set to provide a solid framework to the future bilateral partnership.

"Our two countries are maybe geographically distant but we are united by mutual aspirations - economic growth, innovations and prosperity for our citizens. Our country is seen not only as a safe and attractive destination for foreign investments but also a platform for access to the European market. A stable macroeconomic environment, competitive tax policies and a strategic position on the Balkans provides our economy with sustainable opportunities in industrial production, high-tech, energy, IT, agriculture and logistics. We are especially proud of our progress in digital transformation and green energy, areas in which cooperation with the Kazakh partners can produce significant mutual benefit. In parallel, we are aware of our own needs, as the country is a significant energy importer, and our policies aim towards diversification of energy imports. As one of the world's leading energy exporters, Kazakhstan naturally fits this strategic orientation. This relates not only to compatibility but strategic embedding of both countries," said Dimitrovski.

Economic Chamber Executive Director Antoni Peshev also addressed the business forum, saying that Macedonia needs European integration but also friends across the globe, highlighting the importance of exports.

"Macedonia should get used to the big markets. We should not be afraid of the big markets and economic potentials, on the contrary, it should serve as an incentive for us to give our best," noted Peshev.

Photo: MIA