Modest capacity and an inability the Macedonian economy to cover the Russian territories, poor transportation connections, high duties and the firm position of Russia's legislation concerning Macedonian products are the main reasons due to which Macedonia is making a huge trade deficit in the exchange with the Russian Federation.

These obstacles must be overcome, especially because Macedonia cannot threaten the Russian economy in any way. "Macedonia is not at all a competition and a concession should be made for the country," it was concluded at Friday's Macedonian-Russian business forum held in the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.

"Russian companies should not only make attempts to sell on the Macedonian market, they should invest here and build capacities and use Macedonia as a regional center for selling their products on the Balkans, in Turkey and other EU countries that are closer by, President of the Regional Chamber of the City of Skopje, Goran Rafajlovski urges.

The state organs of Russia and Macedonia must support the barriers to be surpassed, he adds.

Russian Ambassador to Macedonia, Oleg Nikolaevich Scherbak says that there is a real chance for overcoming the current obstacles for intensive economic cooperation, such as high duties and the lack of direct traffic connections.

"In the first three months of 2001, the scope of trade exchange between Russia and Macedonia has been doubled compared to the same period last year. Macedonian export to Russia rose two and a half times. This suggests that there is potential in order the cooperation to be developed, the ambassador notes.

Given the fact that the competition globally is becoming fierce, to increase the number of partners is a condition for a successful business, according to him.

Russian companies so far lacked enough information on the business conditions in Macedonia. Russia's economy is now being acquainted with the business ambient and investment opportunities in Macedonia, says Galina Telegina - chairwoman of the Vologda Chamber of Commerce.

Friday's Macedonian-Russian business forum is attended by a group of businessmen from the Vologda region - one of the most developed regions in the Russian Federation.

The forum aims at establishing direct business contacts and return to markets in the sphere of construction, food industry, wine production, textile, leather and footwear industry, etc.