Neptune is one of the biggest brands in Macedonia. Telegrafi Macedonia and ECNWM spoke with Arsim Papraniku, Co-Owner of SEG and Neptun. Experience, entrepreneurship and future challenges are the topics we talked in this interview with the entrepreneur Papraniku.

For several years Neptun is ranked as one of the most powerful brands in Macedonia. Describe your success in 3 sentences?

To describe the success of Neptune and the level it is today after 21 years of activity, it would be very difficult to describe in 3 sentences, but I would  single out: dedication, energy, vision and new ideas.

What have you learned from all these years of experience?

If you are truly committed to a field, profession, job or even a project, the chances for mistakes are very small, of course given the opportunities for mistakes, the moment and the “know-how”.

What is your experience with the young people who work with you. Are you satisfied with their work?

I can say with great confidence that our youth in general has high qualities, but something that is missing is the HR (Human resources) strategy, which is generally wrong, not only in private companies, but in general. I also think the state strategy has been wrong for years and here I mainly think in terms of quality education and experience in practice.

SEG is being built. How far the works have come, how much is the investment and when is it expected to open?

SEG as a project generally captures investments of more than 300 million euros that will be realized in three phases. It should be noted that it is the largest investment in the field of real

estate in North Macedonia, which has been realized so far and is divided into three directions or areas that are: – “East Gate Mall” – Shopping center with a gross area of 160,000 m2 or area for rent of 57,000 m2, which is one of the largest centers in the region with almost 45% brands coming for the first time in Macedonia. Construction is currently almost 75% complete and we are thinking of opening in October 2021. S

“East Gate Living” – residential neighborhood with 1,600 apartments which will be one of the most modern complexes for its time with many spaces and additional greenery. The beginning of the works is foreseen for February 2021 and to be completed at the end of 2023. – “East Gate Office” – business offices with a total construction of 67,000 m2, divided into five buildings. Construction begins in April 2021 and ends in 2026.

What are your plans for the future and what is your message to young entrepreneurs?

There are many plans and I believe that soon we will launch a new project that you will be informed about soon. In terms of the message for young entrepreneurs, I will mention some pillars that in my opinion are most important: – joining forces and capital between companies in

different areas and sectors, creating business diversity, investments in HR or human resources and structures; – expansion into new markets and countries.