Skopje, 13 December 2024 (MIA) - Corruption is a two-way process and both the institutions and the business sector could be involved in it, which is why both entities should be actively engaged in the fight against it, concluded speakers at Friday’s “Partnership between the business sector, institutions and civil society organizations in the fight against corruption” conference organized by the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and Transparency International Macedonia.

Economic Chamber President Branko Azeski said fighting corruption is a top priority for the chamber, while businesses want to combat it since they are one of its victims.

“We intend to intensify the fight against corruption and we will cooperate with the institutions on all levels. Persistence is the only solution in the fight against corruption, and the truth should always be presented. The declarative fight against corruption should become concrete,” Azeski said.

The head of Transparency International Macedonia, Blagoja Bandovski, said the business sector, economic growth and corruption represent a triangle that contains many links and is directly related to the country’s economic development.

“On one hand corruption destroys business activity and makes it impossible for certain economic entities to reach certain positions in the country and to realize certain business rights due to other actors who through their corrupt activities prevent honest businessmen from realizing their right to economic activity. All of that negatively impacts both the domestic business climate and foreign investments,” Pandovski said.

Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski said the chances of manipulations and abuse are significantly reduced when all processes are automated and digitized.

“Our path to digital transformation is clear, and we aren’t giving up on it. As a Ministry, we remain committed to the creation of more efficient and more responsible institutions. Without delay, we must continue working towards respect for the principles of the rule of law, transparency and fight against corruption,” Andonovski said. 

Servet Demiri, member of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC), said the private sector plays a key role in creating an environment that is resilient to corruption. He also emphasized the importance of businesses protecting whistleblowers.

Sasho Jakovchevski from the State Audit Office said digitization is a good way to fight corruption which is why, he noted, everyone should be given equal access to it. 

Photo: MIA