“I would like to create a bank that will be a pillar of Macedonia’s financial system; a bank that will be a partner to all businesses, a bank on which all households in Macedonia can rely; a technologically equipped and fully digitalized bank that applies the newest technologies for the benefit of our clients; a bank whose existence carries meaning not only for itself, but also for the environment in which it operates,” said Toni Stojanovski, MSc, Chief Executive Officer and Management Board member of NLB Banka Skopje, in the latest edition of the Business Club podcast with the Chamber President Branko Azeski.

Stojanovski reminded that in order to understand today’s banking system, one must consider the circumstances of the past—the period of restoring public trust in banks after the banking collapse following the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, and the time of high inflation, when businesses struggled to survive.

“Price stability is a public good without which businesses cannot advance,” Stojanovski emphasized.

He added: “If we adopt a positively oriented critical perspective, we will identify many points where we have made progress, which will relieve us of certain frustrations so we can better see what needs to be done today.”

Stojanovski stressed the importance of respecting ourselves, appreciating everything that has been achieved, and clearly focusing on what is needed today and in the future—openness to new knowledge and skills. “The world is moving forward,” he noted, “and we must keep pace with it.” According to him, this requires:

-       a reformed education system that follows changes and innovations;

-       continuous education and lifelong learning;

-       acceptance of new developments (the green agenda, circular economy, etc.).

He emphasized that chambers of commerce have an irreplaceable role in these processes because they are the first to recognize changes and encourage companies to be open to them.

When asked whether banks have indicators for predicting risks and whether they can advise the state to address consequences in a timely manner, Stojanovski stated that analyses are regularly prepared and shared with institutions. “Only through open communication with all actors in the system can challenges be prevented, because all of us have knowledge and experience that should be used,” Stojanovski said.

“Risks and problems will always exist, but with open dialogue they can be managed and transformed into opportunities for effectiveness, efficiency, growth, and development,” Stojanovski added.

Continuing the conversation, Toni Stojanovski, MSc, also conveyed a message to young people: professions are changing, and therefore it is most important for young people to learn how to learn, with the focus placed on lifelong learning.