The Export Institute Training Center, established under the Private Sector Regional Integration Support Activity (PSRISA), which the Economic Chamber is implementing in partnership with USAID, begins with two parallel training sessions out of a total of eleven, within the two programs: "How to Start Exporting to International Markets" and "Export Management." The initial two trainings, "International Business and International Relations" and "Analysis, Approach, and Models for Entering Foreign Markets," offered free of charge to company representatives, have garnered significant interest. Companies are encouraged to follow upcoming training announcements to secure their participation in the future. The unique value of these trainings lies in delivering knowledge and skills through prominent domestic and international experts—some from academia, but the majority with private sector experience—providing an effective blend of theoretical and practical approaches.
The Training Center's focus is on developing human resources in the field of international trade by offering training and modules on topics crucial for organizing export activities. The first program, "How to Start Exporting to International Markets," is designed for companies interested in starting export activities but lacking sufficient knowledge to do so. The second program, "Export Management," targets existing exporters looking to improve their operations and expand into new countries/markets to sell their products.
In parallel with the Training Center, another unit within the Export Institute, the Center for Research and Analysis (Analytical Center), will provide expertise to support companies and consulting services to help companies prepare to enter foreign markets. This will include offering analyses that facilitate companies' access to information critical for business decision-making.
According to the plan, the eleven training sessions from the two programs will be conducted by mid-next year, based on company needs and available capacity, with the goal of training 600 individuals from exporting or potential exporting companies. In addition to the two initial modules, "International Business and International Relations" and "Analysis, Approach, and Models for Entering Foreign Markets," other planned trainings include: Economic Aspects of International Business; Export Competency Diagnostics; Marketing for Export Promotion; Mandatory Rules and Legal Aspects of Export; Customs Procedures, International Transport, and Logistics; Developing Export Strategies; and Export Company Financial Management, covering a total of 51 topics across the 11 modules.
By establishing the Export Institute and launching the Training Center as part of the "Chamber of the Future" concept, the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia is focusing its operations on addressing the needs of export-oriented companies by providing access to relevant knowledge, skills, and expertise in international trade. The Export Institute was created within the Chamber in response to the lack of a professional body dedicated to building the capacity of Macedonian export-oriented companies.
Through the Private Sector Regional Integration Support Activity (PSRISA), USAID is supporting the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia in its efforts to improve business integration into regional and global value chains, enhancing their capacity to be competitive in the Western Balkans and the broader EU. The aim is to create tools for public-private dialogue, promote the benefits of regional economic integration to the business community, explore and enhance export opportunities, and provide sustainable services to exporting companies.