Today, May 09, 2018, USAID’s Partnership for Better Business Regulation project facilitated the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Government of Macedonia and the four largest chambers of commerce in the country. The MoU seeks to strengthen dialogue between the public and private sectors on issues affecting legal compliance of companies in Macedonia. This MoU is a big step forward in the process of building a stable and fruitful relationship between the chamber of commerce, and between the chambers and the Government.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Zoran Zaev, USAID Macedonia General Development Officer Edward Gonzalez, President of the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce Daniela Arsovska, and the project Chief of Party and Manager of EPI CENTAR International Ljubomir Dimovski delivered remarks at the event.

In his remarks, USAID General Development Officer Edward Gonzalez noted that in recent months there has been an increase in dialogue between the government and private sector. “Today’s memorandum of understanding is an example of increased that dialogue; it is an agreement between the government of Macedonia and the four largest chambers of commerce that represent a majority of the business interests in the country; this is truly remarkable because recognizing their shared interests, the chambers have come together to engage with the government on policy issues that affect every sector, especially micro, small and medium enterprises. USAID is proud to be the convener that assisted in bringing the chambers together.” He added, “Soliciting feedback and consensus building is the right first step that we hope will be followed by positive outcomes that will alleviate the regulatory burdens companies face and provide impetus to the economic growth of Macedonia’s private sector.”  

Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev highlighted the government’s openness to collaborating with the business community to achieve the shared goals of creating a favorable business environment that fosters innovation and competitiveness and implementing credible legal reforms, in his statement.

USAID’s Partnership for Better Business Regulation project is implemented by EPI CENTAR International and its four key sub-partners – the Economic Chamber of Macedonia; the ICT Chamber of Commerce – MASIT; the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia. Through active participation in implementation of this project, the chambers are building their capacity to better serve SMEs and to advocate for their needs.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

This year, USAID is marking its 25th anniversary in Macedonia. The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $610 million in the country since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the modern workforce. These initiatives, in partnership with the people of Macedonia, aim to improve the quality of life for Macedonia’s citizens. For more information please visit https://www.usaid.gov/macedonia and USAID’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia.