Macedonian - West Australian    
           Business  & Economic Forum      

The Macedonian-West Australian Business and Economic Forum works in close cooperation with the Honorary Macedonian Consul in WA to achieve the following:

Mission and Goals

Mission

The Macedonian - West Australian Business and Economic Forum exists to facilitate links between Western Australia and the Republic of Macedonia and act as a voice for good business practices and the promotion of Macedonia as an attractive business and investment destination.

Goals

• Promote Western Australia as a valuable partner for the economic development of Macedonia.
• Create a network of successful business entities that will strengthen the business relationship between Western Australia and Macedonia.
• Assist with the provision of top class services, logistics and venues to the Western Australian business communities to encourage the establishment of a proactive business and investment environment.
• Promote existing business opportunities within the Western Australian and Macedonian spheres to potential investors and other interested parties.
• Attract Western Australian business investments in Macedonia
• Gather, exchange and collate business and other relevant information for the benefit of Western Australia and Macedonia.

 

About Macedonia

The Republic of Macedonia is rapidly advancing on the path of political and economic reforms towards strengthening its democratic society and its open market economy. The result is political and macroeconomic stability providing much room for growth. The primary goals of the Government are as follows: - economic growth and development, - active participation in regional and global integration processes, - maintenance of macroeconomic stability, - continuous structural reforms focused especially on promotion of the SME sector and attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs), and - reduced unemployment and poverty. The Republic of Macedonia was granted EU-candidacy in December 2005, which has significantly improved the country’s political credibility in the international business community.

Location and Geography

The Republic of Macedonia is situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula covering an area of 25,713 square kilometres. Its relief is characterized by large and high mountain massifs giving way to extensive, flat valleys and plains. The country is features a developed hydro-graphic net: with numerous springs, rivers, and many natural and artificial lakes. The climate in Macedonia is diverse: in the southern part it is altered Mediterranean, in the central and northern areas it is mild continental and on high mountains-mountainous. The country is bordered by Serbia to the North, Bulgaria to the East, Greece to the South and Albania to the West. It is a major transit way for shipment of goods from Greece, through the Balkans, towards Eastern, Western and Central Europe and through Bulgaria to the East. Macedonia has an ideal geographic position on the Balkan Peninsula for opening industrial capacities, for branch offices and consignation facilities that would gravitate towards a market of 30 to 40 million consumers. More precisely, the capital of Macedonia, Skopje, is less then a two-hour drive away from the neighbouring countries. Major cities are Skopje (>600,000 citizens), Kumanovo, Bitola, Prilep, Tetovo, Veles, Ohrid, Strumica, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area: 25,713 sq.km
Capital: Skopje
Population: 2.1 million people (69% in age bracket 15-64)
Main Ethnic Groups:
Macedonian 64%, Albanian 25%, Others 11%
Religions:
Orthodox Christian 65%, Muslim 33%, Others 2%