Macedonians itching to seal several partnership deals

Kalenikov and Mizo at the Macedonian booth at the ICC WCF 8th World Chambers Congress exhibition yesterday.

By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter

The Macedonian Chambers of Commerce is hoping to seal several partnership deals with the Qatari government within the coming days, chambers’ president Zlatko Kalenikov said yesterday.

Representatives of Macedonia, which is a showcasing investment opportunities at the exhibition being held on the sideline of the ICC WCF 8th World Chambers Congress, are meeting with Qatari business leaders and organisations, including Qatari Diar, Qatar General Water and Electricity Corporation, Qatar Airways, Hassad Foods as well as companies in the petroleum production industry.

“Qatar and Macedonia Chambers of Commerce have signed a memorandum of understanding and co-operation to facilitate the establishment of a number of businesses and investments between both countries,” said Viktor Mizo, CEO, Macedonian Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones.

“We have had meetings with Qatari officials this afternoon on potential for petroleum production in Macedonia. We also had discussions with water and electricity utility for co-operation with electricity producing state entity … we are offering the Qataris a stake of up to 49%,” Mizo added.

He said Qatari Diar had visited Macedonia to seek potential in real estate development, hotel, tourism and hospitality. “Meetings have also been held with Qatar Airways on launching a flight between Doha and Macedonia capital of Skopje. We are also working with Hassad Foods for investment in agricultural sector.”

“The purpose of the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce being here is to increase the co-operation and showcase the country, which is why we are the ruby sponsor of the congress,” Kalenikov said.

He said that the aim of the chambers in Macedonia is to help domestic companies utilise their potential outside the country and also to help foreign investors find business partners within its membership base.

They said that Qatar was chosen as the only Gulf state where it has a representation through an embassy because the “country has more international presence than any other countries in the region.”

“We have identified that Doha should be the hub to cover the region and we have several Macedonians working in Qatar and the UAE. We have a lot of flight attendants working for Qatar Airways, there is a huge human resources company in Macedonia, which is recruiting many of our nationals for jobs out here in different sectors,” Mizo added.

He said that in the last few years, the Macedonia economy has shifted from historical agriculture, mining and production of raw materials especially steel and its products and different minerals to industry, multinational companies, especially in the automotive and electronic industry.