On October 15, 2025, at the premises of the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia a meeting was held with the independent candidate for Mayor of Struga, Mr. Mendi Qyra. He was welcomed by the Acting President of ECNWM, Mr. Nuhi Aliu, the Executive Director, Mr. Durim Zekiri, the Honorary President, Mr. Xhemail Dauti, as well as representatives of the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board of ECNWM.
The meeting was opened by the Acting President of ECNWM, Mr. Nuhi Aliu, who emphasized the importance of continuous cooperation between municipalities and the business community as a key pillar for local development.
During the discussion, Mr. Mendi Qyra highlighted that the main driver of the country’s development is the economy, stressing that, if elected, the Municipality of Struga will always remain open to cooperation with the Chamber and local businesses. He also emphasized that his electoral platform includes five strategic projects essential for the development of Struga, while underlining the necessity of open communication between institutions, the municipality, and ECNWM.
On the other hand, the Executive Director, Mr. Durim Zekiri, presented the Platform for Local Economic Development, which contains points aligned with Mr. Qyra’s vision, particularly in the areas of tourism development, promotion of diaspora investments, as well as fostering transparency and accountability as fundamental principles of local governance.
The Honorary President, Mr. Xhemail Dauti, highlighted the importance of fiscal and functional decentralization as a mechanism to strengthen municipal capacities and improve administrative efficiency. He also proposed the creation of a Business Center in cooperation with ECNWM, which would serve as a support hub for local enterprises and promote entrepreneurship in Struga.
The meeting also featured remarks from Mr. Fatmir Ejub, a member of ECNWM, who emphasized the need to raise environmental awareness through the company Alpak Eko, addressing issues related to waste management and the Struga landfill. He noted that Alpak Eko is ready to support the municipality with recycling containers but requested that suitable locations and the necessary infrastructure be secured in advance. In response, Mr. Qyra expressed his willingness to cooperate, underlining that environmental protection is also part of his platform.
ECNWM continues to strengthen cooperation with municipalities and local businesses, promoting economic development, transparency, and environmental sustainability. Through strategic initiatives and projects, the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia remains a steadfast support for the business community.
