„Dimitrie Cupovski“ 13, 1000 Skopje +38923244000 ic@mchamber.mk
„Dimitrie Cupovski“ 13, 1000 Skopje +38923244000 ic@mchamber.mk
“It is better to have the Chamber as a partner to the government in shaping laws than as an opponent in their implementation.”
– James Harold Wilson, UK Prime Minister, 1970s
1922–2019: Three More Years to Mark a Century of Chamber Organization in Macedonia
As advocates of business interests and the voice of the business sector, chambers of commerce are institutions with a long history and play a significant economic role in every country, regardless of the system of chamber governance.
Macedonia, as part of the Ottoman Empire, held a strategic position at the crossroads of key routes (east, west, north, and south). Historical Turkish documents from the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of both historical and cultural change, mention the formation of so-called “odası”—guild associations that represent the early beginnings of chamber organization in Macedonia.
According to official records, the first instances of chamber organization in Macedonia date back to 1922, with the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry based in Skopje under the relevant law. In 1931, chambers were transformed into advisory and auxiliary bodies of state authorities, assuming certain public and legal functions, such as issuing permits, certificates, and identifications, conducting arbitration, and appointing experts. The Charter of the Presidium of ASNOM, issued on 18 February 1945, established a unified Chamber of Commerce and Industry with jurisdiction over the Macedonian federal unit. This marked the beginning of an intensive period of economic and chamber organization development in the Republic of Macedonia.
By 1962, the chambers had been reorganized into the Economic Chamber of Macedonia under a new law. Several sectoral chambers operated during this time, significantly contributing to the affirmation of chamber organization in the Republic of Macedonia. In December 2004, the Law on the Economic Chamber of Macedonia redefined the Chamber as a business and professional association tasked with harmonizing, representing, and protecting the interests of its members. Operating under a private law model, the Chamber has more than 15,000 voluntary members. Since 1994, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia has been a member of the International Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber has played a pivotal role in advancing Macedonia's economy by enhancing workforce skills, improving production quality, and promoting economic potential through its propaganda, promotional, and representative functions of its specialized organizations, established by the Chamber.
From December 2004, with the enactment of the Law on the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, the Chamber became a professional business association that aligns, represents, and protects the interests of its members. With the establishment of a private law model of chamber organization, it now includes over 15,000 members on a voluntary basis.
Businesses based in the Republic of Macedonia, engaging in economic activity and registered in the trade register, can voluntarily join the Chamber. Additionally, other entities contributing to the improvement of the economy’s operations are also eligible to join.
Since 1970, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia has been awarding the May Day Prize. In 1994, this was renamed the Economic Chamber Prize of Macedonia, presented annually to mark the Chamber's Day on 18 February.
In the same year, 1994, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia achieved membership status in the International Chamber of Commerce.
The role of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia is evident in fostering development.
Its contribution to the overall economic progress and shaping of the economic environment is undeniable.
The significance of chambers of commerce has steadily increased, becoming a measure of the development of market economies and democracy in society. These are dynamic institutions primarily tasked with promoting development by supporting businesses. They reflect the state of national economic entities. As advocates for the interests and voice of the business sector, chambers have a long history and serve as a significant economic factor in every country, regardless of the type of chamber system in place.
Chambers mirror the level of development in socio-political and economic relations, and thereby, the degree of market economy maturity in a nation. Today, chambers offer a wide range of services to their members.
