Businessmen from Macedonia and Greece seek introduction of direct Skopje-Athens flights aimed at intensifying the business relations between Macedonia and Greece. They also urge for joint appearance on third markets as well as joint implementation of projects from the EU funds.
As it was said at Wednesday’s press briefing in the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, the cooperation between Macedonian and Greek companies is excellent for the time being and without any problems, and the largest potential for cooperation’s improvement is seen in the construction, agribusiness, processing of fruits and vegetables….
As neighbouring countries, the potential for cooperation is high. We have already established good economic relations with great potential for upgrading. Greece is one of the five most important trade partners of Macedonia with the largest investments in banking, oil industry, trade and textiles, said President of the Industrial Chamber of Macedonia within Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, Sotir Ampov.
Last year, the trade exchange between the countries amounted EUR 598 million of which EUR 148 million exports and EUR 450 million imports. Currently, Macedonia mainly exports agricultural products to Greece.
Answering journalistic questions, Ampov informs that many Greek textile companies are closing their offices in Macedonia due to financial problems in Greece. This also means job cuts, although many of the workers, who will lose their jobs, will quickly find other jobs in companies from other industries.
Executive director of the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce Aleksandar Zarkov told press conference that he participated at the first round table aiming to develop an integrated programme and an interregional initiative to achieve the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in the Balkans held in Kozani, Greece, upon an invitation of the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Greek Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media.
Agribusiness sector and implementation of the most sophisticated digital technologies in agriculture was underlined at the meeting. One of round table’s messages was establishment of a GEOBALKAN initiative for implementation of appropriate agrarian policies in the direction of sustainable development of agriculture.
As a result of the cooperation between Macedonian Chambers of Commerce and the Greek International Business Association, the first bilateral cooperation agreement and networking of the businessmen from both countries was signed, Zarkov said.
