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Government's direct contacts with foreign corporations to bring more investors to Macedonia
27. December 2011. | 07:49
Source: MIA
The Government's 'road show, namely the presentation of Macedonia as an attractive business destination and PM Nikola Gruevski's direct contacts with the management of large corporations from Europa, Asia and the US will bring foreign investors to the country in spite of the crisis, say the organizers of the Balkan Investments Forum (BIF), which is to take place in Skopje next April.
The Government's 'road show, namely the presentation of Macedonia as an attractive business destination and PM Nikola Gruevski's direct contacts with the management of large corporations from Europa, Asia and the US will bring foreign investors to the country in spite of the crisis, say the organizers of the Balkan Investments Forum (BIF), which is to take place in Skopje next April.
They believe the smart ones will consider the crisis as a chance and an additional challenge. The businessmen seek locations for cheaper production and ways to increase their profit.
"I have to give credit to the Government for its direct, operative campaign throughout Europe...If only 10 of the 50 companies, which have visited Macedonia, say 'yes', it will mean the country will welcome five new investors," Ljupco Zikov, Director & Editor in Chief of the business weekly 'Capital', said Monday at a first meeting of BIF Initiative Board.
The forthcoming BIF is expected to bring together at least 10 innovation companies and a large number of investors from Western Europe, Israel and Turkey. The organizers see it as an opportunity for government-business-science synergy, as well as for de-Balkanization of the region.
The Balkan Investments Forum will take place on April 18-19 under the patronage of President Gjorge Ivanov.
Comments (1)
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27. December 2011. 12:27:51
| Robert
1
I think it would be useful if the Government interviewed the other 40 companies that visit Macedonia and don't invest to find out why not? Perhaps the Government would then realize that the first people they need to sell Macedonia as an opportunity are the Macedonians themselves. When 45% of high school students (according to a survey conducted during the past year) say they do not see a future in the country, hmmm... I think that speaks volumes about what a great opportunity Macedonia does not present. This country has a huge human resource capacity problem - everyone wants a job, but few actually want to work! The lack of any real reform in the Government Administration and Legal system are very real problems that keep investors from seriously looking at Macedonia. Also, the ethnic divide is very real - why can people smoke in bars and restaurants in Tetovo and Gostivar? Why are fiscal receipts not issued in most places in Tetovo and Gostivar? This is not a united nation and corruption is still very prevalent at every level of the Government. During the investment road show the Government promotes the fact that businesses can have direct access to senior Government officials. If this was such a great place to invest, why would anyone need direct access? This is a clear indicator to investors that what the Government is saying how easy it is to do business in Macedonia is not true - if it was then Government involvement once an investor decides to invest is not needed - nor in most cases wanted.