A working meeting was held at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia between representatives of the Chamber and the Bechtel-ENKA consortium, the contractor for the motorway projects on Corridor 8 and Corridor 10d. The purpose of this presentation was to better explain the leading principles of the tendering process of Bechtel-ENKA to boost participation of local companies in the motorway project. According to information from Bechtel-ENKA, approximately 90% of subcontractors and 65% of suppliers are local companies. After a brief overview of the project's scope and Bechtel-ENKA’s project history in the Balkans, the meeting focused on increasing the participation of Macedonian companies across a wide range of sectors until the completion of the four sections of Corridors 8 and 10d, totaling 111 kilometers in length.

As part of its activities with the Economic Chamber, this initiative is aimed at transparent cooperation and closer acquaintance with member companies to clarify the processes for cooperation during the execution of construction activities on the mentioned corridors.

The Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and Bechtel-ENKA will continue with joint meetings and presentations in the Chamber’s regional offices in Shtip, Bitola, Prilep, Kavadarci, and Kichevo. A joint presentation with Bechtel-ENKA for all interested companies is planned for the last quarter of 2024, and companies will be notified in a timely manner.

Two key topics were discussed at the meeting:

1. Promotion of Local Companies – The Economic Chamber and Bechtel-ENKA agreed on the importance of integrating local resources and expertise to successfully complete the projects.
2. Collaboration Processes: Guidelines for the participation of local companies in the tender processes and procurement of services and works. Discussions focused on improving communication and transparency in these processes and overcoming potential obstacles.

"Our goal is to create a productive and supportive environment in which local companies can further develop and participate in major infrastructure projects crucial to boosting the domestic economy," said the Vice President of the Economic Chamber, Jelisaveta Georgieva-Jovevska. "Through this initiative, we want to help our companies have equal opportunities to participate and contribute to the development of our infrastructure. The construction of these important infrastructure projects benefits not only our country but the entire region and beyond."

The Bechtel-ENKA consortium, through this and other meetings with representatives of the Economic Chamber, reaffirmed its intention to work closely and transparently with local companies and to provide support and clarification on participation and collaboration processes. Bechtel-ENKA explained that once the larger expropriations are completed, there will be more work fronts and more opportunities for local companies.

The Chamber welcomes this commitment from the Bechtel-ENKA consortium, which will create job opportunities and increase the engagement of local companies, inevitably leading to significant economic benefits.

As the largest business association, the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia will actively participate in the announced activities to ensure that as many companies as possible are informed and have access to the above-mentioned processes. The Chamber will continue its efforts to create conditions for the successful integration of local companies into major infrastructure projects, reaffirming its role as a key mediator in the economic development of the country.

For more information from Bechtel-ENKA, you can contact the following addresses:

·        For general inquiries, please contact info@beuk.mk

·        For procurement information, please contact procurement@beuk.mk

·        For subcontractor information, please contact subcontracts@beuk.mk

Please find attached the platform in the form of presentations on the collaboration processes of Bechtel-ENKA with all interested companies.

•  supply chain presentation Sep2024 - EC Website version.ppt
•  e-RFQ (User Guide for Vendors).pdf
•  EGVN Supplier Registration Steps 2024.pdf