13.01.2021, Skopje – The Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia, as an institution that protects the interests of member companies, highly appreciates the work of state institutions and aims to build partnerships with them to create better conditions for doing business, as well as economic growth and development in the country.

We are a few months away from marking the 1st anniversary when North Macedonia, like many countries in the world, entered the coronavirus pandemic – Covid 19, bringing major economic consequences and a decline in macroeconomic indicators.

In order to return the economy to the normal trajectory, we estimate that the Government in the following period should focus on:

1. Starting the vaccination process against Covid 19, in order for the opening of the economy to happen as soon as possible and to be in step with the countries of the region and beyond;
2. Realization of capital investments at a rate of minimum 85%; in order to stimulate economic activity, including ancillary activities;
3. Establishment of a special fund for Companies of the most affected sectors such as, Manufacturing Industry, Construction, Wholesale Trade, etc.;
4. Reduction of customs tariffs as a measure for general support of the economy;
5. remove non-tariff barriers which impede the trade exchange of goods and services with neighboring countries;
6. export promotion, through the support of export-oriented producers, as well as promotes them through diplomatic missions which will promote the country’s productivity;
7. Targeted approach of government support to local companies;
8. Transparency in spending budget funds for the treatment of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

Although the economy as a whole was hit, unlike other sectors, Tourism and HOREKA were the ones that suffered the most and continue to work with restrictions making it impossible for them to take advantage of this winter season as well. We as ECNWM appeal to the Government to provide work protocols, in order for these companies to be able to operate, in order to ensure liquidity and job security, as this sector employs over 30,000 people in the country.

As a result of the above, we as the Chamber propose the following measures:

1. To open the partially closed sectors (Tourism and Horeka) and to adopt the protocols in accordance with the health recommendations of the World Health Organization;
2. Continuation of the measure for subsidizing salaries in the amount of 14,500 denars at least until March 2021, as the most appropriate measure for job preservation;
3. Increase of the RMV Development Bank fund for loans with low interest rates;
4. Import of raw materials to be done with 0% excise for manufacturing companies;
5. Allocate financial resources for companies that invest in digitalization and increase of technological capacities;
6. Cancellation of profit tax until 2022 for companies which are most affected by the pandemic;
7. To annul all decisions for suspension and moratorium of urban plans in the municipalities where construction investment projects are hindered, which reach a value of up to 500 million euros.