At the initiative of the President of the Economic Chamber, Branko Azeski, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the RNM, H.E. Denion Meidani, the Macedonian-Albanian Business Forum titled “Beyond Borders” was held, bringing together a large number of businesspeople and institutional representatives from both countries and confirming the strong interest in more intensive bilateral cooperation.

In his address at the Forum, the President of the Economic Chamber, Branko Azeski, emphasized that this business forum demonstrates that what business speaks about is crucial, namely the “three magic words: exports, infrastructure and investments,” stressing that there is no modern state without these three elements.

Azeski pointed out that trust has been built with the Albanian Ambassador to Macedonia, Denion Meidani, and that this forum represents only the beginning of future joint activities. In this context, he assessed that the Port of Durrës should become a serious alternative for new infrastructure connections and for Macedonian business.

Referring to the economic cooperation between the two countries, Azeski stated that last year’s trade of USD 207 million should be considered disgraceful for the business community. According to him, companies have the capacity to increase trade beyond USD 1 billion, emphasizing that “illegal trade works much better than we do,” and that this should be the motivation to unite, legalize trade flows and achieve a significantly larger volume of economic exchange between the two countries.

Azeski also noted that Albania, which is currently leading in infrastructure development, is encouraging Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro to follow the same path. He stressed that the essence of business is the constant search for new challenges and recalled that even a century ago, people thought more strategically about infrastructure connectivity and the creation of corridors.

“Today, we call for the opening of corridors for all landlocked countries. Only in this way can Durrës become serious competition to Thessaloniki, whose port currently has no alternative for Macedonian business,” Azeski stated.

He encouraged Forum participants to consider concrete and “radical” solutions such as the removal of customs barriers, better infrastructure, joint access to third markets and the creation of new services and markets for risk diversification, bearing in mind that many companies remain heavily dependent on individual EU markets.

At the end of his address, Azeski stressed that the Chamber stands behind the business community and that the trust of companies is of essential importance, emphasizing that “greater profits for companies bring a better standard of living for citizens and progress for states.”

As part of the opening addresses, the President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania, Ines Muçostepa, emphasized that investments, connectivity and tourism are areas in which the business communities of both countries can make a strong contribution toward deepening economic cooperation and creating new opportunities for joint development and market presence.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the RNM, H.E. Denion Meidani, highlighted that Corridor VIII represents a strategic project for EU integration and regional connectivity, noting that greater trust, investments and joint projects are key to future development, while Deputy President of the Government and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski assessed that economic cooperation between the two countries is progressing, but still remains far below its real potential, stressing the need for better infrastructure connectivity as well as a change in business approach and mentality in the region.

As part of the Forum, three panel discussions were held focusing on investments, infrastructure connectivity and tourism as sectors with significant potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

At the panel discussion “Investment Opportunities: From Potential to Partnership,” representatives of institutions and investment agencies from both countries discussed improving the business climate, attracting investments and supporting the private sector.

The panel discussion “Corridor VIII: The Road that Connects Growth” focused on the importance of infrastructure and transport connectivity, logistics and port access as prerequisites for greater trade volume and economic integration.

At the panel discussion “From Ohrid to the Adriatic,” participants discussed opportunities for joint tourism promotion, the development of regional tourism offers and the better utilization of the tourism potential of both countries.

The Forum concluded that the business community must serve as a driver of regional connectivity, competitiveness and economic growth, with the aim of unlocking the untapped potential of economic cooperation between Macedonia and Albania.