BACKGROUND
The Republic of North Macedonia has a small, open economy and one of the main pillars of its sustainable development could be export-led growth. The EU is the country’s
dominant export market, yet Macedonian businesses remain poorly integrated into regional markets. Despite the progress achieved over the years, North Macedonia’s private
sector still has the potential to improve its regional competitiveness and strengthen its export capacities. USAID contributes to North Macedonia’s efforts to improve its economic security and growth through economic integration.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The aim of this activity is to enable local businesses to be better informed about trade trends and market needs, as well as value and supply chains. This is so that they can better integrate into regional and global value chains, and have stronger capacity to compete in the Western Balkan region and more broadly in the EU. Through this activity, USAID is partnering with the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia to: create tools for publicprivate dialogue; promote the benefits of regional economic integration to the business community; explore and promote export opportunities; and provide sustainable services for export-oriented companies.
EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACT
Regional trade and investment cooperation will increase. There will be more exporting companies, products to be exported, and markets for those products. The capacity of consulting firms to deliver business services to export-oriented companies will be improved, as will public-private dialogue on export challenges. Trade and business networks will be developed among regional and international enterprises.
