Countries
Macedonia
Macedonia is a young country and its economy is in transition from being more or less centrally led to being a free-market oriented one. It is making economic progress as witnessed by the growth of its GNI from 2350 US $ in 2005 to 4400 US $ in 2010. Its ranking in the WB Doing Business report has improved from 81st place in 2006 to 38th in 2011. It now takes only 3 days and 3 procedures to start a business, as against 48 days and 13 procedures in 2006.
Macedonian employers’ interests are being represented by the Business Confederation of Madeconia (BCM). DECP first contacted BCM in 2006 and signed a partnership agreement with them in February of 2009. Cooperation between BCM and DECP has focussed on enhancing BCM’s representativeness by increasing its membership both at the sector level and at the regional level, as well as by offering new services. Three regional pilot secretariats were set-up which assist local SME’s in calculating net wages and social contributions. Expertise was shared on issues such as “risk assessment” in view of new regulations on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). DECP has also assisted BCM in the organisation of a Round Table on a better regulation of seasonal employment in the agricultural and food-processing business.
In 2011, DECP continued to support the development of sector organisations, like the important Macedonia Chamber of Tourism (MCT) and the new Construction Association. DECP has also co-financed a workshop organised in the framework of the BOSMIP IV programme of BUSINESSEUROPE and contributed to setting-up a new training centre by BCM.