FYROM and UK boost economic ties

- 18.03.2011
Great Britain for the first time this year is in the group of five countries with which Macedonia has achieved substantial trade exchange, however bilateral economic cooperation still lags behind real opportunities.

Macedonian economic chambers signed Thursday a memorandum of understanding with nine chambers of commerce from Great Britain in a bid to get to know each other, to improve relations, boost business contacts and realise as many investments as possible.

Tourism, agriculture, steel and food industry are the sectors having the biggest potential for cooperation. Macedonia is particularly attractive because it offers cheap, but highly qualified staff and has the potential to attract British investments.

"Today's meeting of businessmen encourages Macedonian companies to see the opportunities in Great Britain and British companies to learn more about Macedonia. It is not enough only governments to offer support. British chambers here learned about several excellent examples of investments. In Macedonia, there are many British investments and successful examples. This should be presented to our firms in order to speak about their experiences back in Great Britain," said UK Ambassador to Macedonia Christopher Yvon at a press conference held after the signing of the memo.

The goal is, Yvon added, investments opportunities in Macedonia to be presented to British businessmen in order to reach decision on possible investments. "Governments do not make investment decisions, which is why it is important companies to be given a platform and to be emphasised that Great Britain is opened for business," the Ambassador stressed.

Businessmen would like to have a sense of predictability, because investors in fact are taking risks.