Given that 2020 is the jubilee year of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of ECNWM, we have conducted interviews with its chairmen who led the institution in these 15 years of existence.
The next interview is conducted with the current President of ECNWM, Mr. Nebi Hoxha.
We invite you to read this interview.

1. What inspired you to run for President of ECNWM, and explain the circumstances of your selection period?

The Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia since its establishment, has continuously been synonymous with the protection of business interests in our country. All of us have played an active or passive role in different periods of time, however being aware of the need for the importance of this institution, I submitted my candidacy for President of ECNWM.
In my previous career I had the opportunity closly to face up the difficulties and conveniences of doing business not only in the country but also in the neighboring region and this makes me very confident that I will be able to offer my help to any ECNWM member who needs it.
After graduating from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, I returned to the family business with its origins in 1965, where as an intellectual I raised the level from a family craft to an international business extending abroad and in several sectors. In addition to the professional aspect, in the past I have been active in several different institutions and organizations: eight years of experience in the Skopje Bazaar Guild, seven years of experience in the Presidency of the Skopje Silversmiths, five years in the Albanian Scholarship Foundation, four years as President of the Association of Balkan Silversmiths, four years member of the Governing Council of ECNWM, four years member of the Board of the South East European University, four years President of ECNWM and last almost two years board member of the Nationwide Economic Forum. I have never been part of politics in my life and that makes me look at things from a more objective and over politic perspective. The other aspect that inspires me is the closeness to successful people who with their own sweat create values ​​and social well-being.
I believe that the combination of my skills, experience, knowledge and inclusiveness in the Balkan region and beyond, fit the profile of the President. All this experience gives me the full right to be an ideal candidate for the post of President of ECNWM. Therefore, the circumstances of my selection for the post of President of ECNWM in both terms were mitigating.

2. At what stage and under what circumstances did you take over the leadership of the Chamber, was  ECNWM strongly established in the country at that time?

Small economies are exposed to external influences and are also easily fragile, so we need to be quick to act and adapt in order to stay in the market. I see adaptation as an institutional force where from experience in the post of president within four years I have increased the capacity of ECNWM in every aspect. Mutual communication and cooperation between the members of the governing bodies is at a high level and among them I gain an unprecedented energy which was lacking in the past. The premises of ECNWM after 13 years of operation were completely renovated and a positive environment was created for the leadership of the Chamber and where the professional staff with tireless work, motivation and will fulfills all obligations to its members. The services of the Chamber are increasing every day, where through the membership service desk we have extraordinary communication. In terms of visuals, ECNWM has achieved a very high rating compared to the past. In terms of political weight, we have achieved a high level of establishment where through expertise and lobbying we have managed to change many laws and regulations in the interest of business. It is also to be proud of the fact that ECNWM has been the only partner of the WEF (World Economic Forum) at the Global level for three years in a row. Cooperation with the chambers of commerce of the region is daily based. Participated in many World Economic Forum. So, the factoring of ECNWM is visible but nevertheless we continue with dedication only with one goal, advancement and networking of businesses worldwide.

3. What makes ECNWM important in this period, including the Covid-19 crisis but not only?

Undisputed is the fact that ECNWM is an institution with great influence in the country in terms of economy and other important processes. How could it be different when our membership has a turnover of over 1 billion euros annually. It covers every sector and category, and due to the accuracy of the sources, our views are strong and quickly accepted by the public, society and institutions. ECNWM continues to play its original role which is to protect the interests of business in the country, to advance their position and to support their development. In this jubilee year for our Chamber, despite the usual challenges, we also faced the epidemic of Covid 19 which despite the trial, it also presented opportunities for ECNWM to prove its importance for state processes, and ECNWM did so. With active participation we contributed and will contribute to the development of adequate measures for economic recovery, we will also continue to be a guide to the economic direction of the country and businesses in general with the sole purpose of helping the economy and business as soon as possible to reach levels similar to those of the European Union, where we aim to join as a country.

4. Summary of 15 years of existence and the vision for the coming years?                                                                                                               After twenty-eight years of independence of the Republic of North Macedonia, it is still in the initial period of genuine economic development, especially in recent years with the global economic crisis. The reasons that make the economy to remain in “transition” apparently still are the same: the small geographical space where businesses operate; various developmental determinants; the legacy of the low level of economic development, as well as the lack of cooperation and contemporary economic activity. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately improve the conditions for business work in the country, to increase productivity, competition and recognition of our country as an attractive environment for investment, compared to other countries in the region of Southeast Europe and beyond as competitive countries for attracting investment. Transforming remittances into investments is an irreplaceable precondition and perspective for our country and diaspora, where young people need to be able to operate in their homeland.

This request is enabled only by a professional approach and this is best done by ECNWM in its existence for 15 years. The forms of organization among Albanians date back to centuries ago, where more precisely we have information from business associations in Tirana over 120 years, in Shkodra, Skopje, Pristina, Prizren, Elbasan, etc. So ECNWM is just a new form of organization in the new conditions after the creation of the state of Macedonia. The role of ECNWM during the 15-year period was manifold and the main focus was the creation of medium and long-term macroeconomic policies, corporate social responsibility, access to political parties, equitable regional development, advancement of women entrepreneurs, modernization and digitalization of companies with a single mission, ECNWM to organize, promote, protect and promote business interests at home and abroad, along with the challenges of global competition and vision, ECNWM aims to become a leading organization in representing business interests and creating an environment of favorable for development.

5. Concluding speech of the President for this jubilee year (15 years of existence)?

The period of existence of ECNWM is not validated by its longevity and years, but the activity which has left deep traces as evidence of what has been done. We do not want to talk too much and make it impossible for deeds to say what they have to say. If the truth depends on the perspective, then our truth is that the existence of ECNWM is overflowing with successful projects and activities that were carried out from the beginning, and in this perspective these 15 years appear crowded and numerous if judged with the volume of activity.
A characteristic of the institution I am leading for the second term in a row is that we have not stopped developing and that leveling or downhill was never present in the Chamber’s performance curve.
I am proud to be the Peresident of ECNWM and especially to mark this jubilee anniversary as its leader. This pride that we feel as members, as local Albanian businesses is modest and stems from the satisfaction gained when we managed to unite the local businesses around a pure goal which had no goals of self-interest at all. I must say that our institution in this 15th anniversary, finds us very strong but has put us in front of many new challenges which with our proven commitment we will overcome. Despite many successes, I must emphasize that the greatest success we have achieved in these years of existence is that we managed to become an example for other institutions, and we have proven that we as Albanians have the opportunity to create and develop credible institutions, although always we have faced various obstacles.
Now as a member of NATO and on the eve of EU membership negotiations, the perspective is guaranteed, so we must fold our arms and not deal with the past.
May this 15th anniversary be just the beginning from where the energy and inspiration will come for many more years, until then our success will only serve as a reminder of the opportunities, while the challenges will be the generator of the will to move forward.