Skopje, 14 May 2026 (MIA) - We should see the processes as they are and be realistic. We need to be aware that our small and medium-sized enterprises are not competitive in a classic, open, liberal system, and we need to say this publicly, directly, and openly, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski at a business conference Thursday. 
Nikoloski said if this situation continues, it would result in three effects that would destroy the economy: a deficit with money leaving the country; an imbalance, especially in foreign exchange; and emigration because people will not be able to find work in the country.

The Deputy PM said the country must protect domestic companies.

“We must find a mechanism to protect domestic companies. We are already seeing that there are no Macedonian companies applying to EUR 500.000 public procurements. If a small company cannot get one or two procurements worth EUR 500.000 - 600.000 in its own municipality, then how will that company exist? That is one aspect I would like to raise. Regarding the large procurements, it is often said that domestic companies lack the capacity, which I partially agree with. I often talk to them and criticize them, but the question is, how will they create that capacity if we don’t give them a chance,” the Minister stressed.

Nikoloski also touched upon the geopolitical aspect of the issue.

“We are a NATO member state and a country aspiring for membership in the European Union. With this open model we need to be clear what direction the economy will move in the coming period. If we leave the model open, all funds for large infrastructure projects will go to China. The question is do we want to allow this. At the moment, there are great challenges in terms of selecting contractors for the construction of two motorway sections. Now the question is, do we want to be nice before the public, in reports, and speak of transparency, accountability, or do we want to see things as they are, to look in the mirror and recognize that we have core problems that need to be resolved if we want our economy to survive and if we want to resist foreign influence that is outside of the country’s strategic orientation,” Nikoloski said.

Photo: MIA