Оpen Balkan for Easier Business in the Region

Businesspeople from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, who brought together at the Business Forum in Skopje, on 29 July, welcomed a new name of the regional initiative Open Balkan, with expectations that it would quickly bring concrete results in everyday business operations. 

The conference hall at the Aleksandar Palace Hotel in Skopje was small to receive all representatives of companies from these three countries, who through a direct dialogue with the highest officials wanted to express their proposals and initiatives for better economic cooperation, as well as to agree new business arrangements at bilateral meetings.
Businesspeople are convinced that everything that was agreed in Skopje will be carried out very quickly, and that as of 1 January 2023 there will be no borders between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, and that as of 2022 the qualifications and work permits will be mutually recognized. It is suggested that the Chambers of Commerce of three countries exchange the data on available workers.
Svetozar Janevski, a representative of Tikveš, underscores that it is of particular importance in the sector of agriculture, which records a huge shortage of labour force, and that they already try to find adequate staff at secondary schools and faculties.
Vukašin Petković from the Nektar company reminds that this company has its production in North Macedonia, and that it will be very useful to get this single system of labour force, which will increase opportunities for employment and the obtaining of work permits.
Director of the company R&T Group from Tirana, Renis Tershana, wants to cooperate more with companies from Serbia and North Macedonia, and estimates that the Open Balkan Initiative is very good. “The Initiative is very good and the cooperation should be strengthened, particularly now during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure not only the free movement of people and goods across borders, but to empower business connections in other areas”, Tershana concluded.
Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, says that it is the right time to start building something new and different, the region of success and trust – without barriers, excessive administration, and waiting at borders. Branko Azeski, President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, says to open the Balkans and unite as a business.
The three agreements signed by President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and Prime Ministers of North Macedonia and Albania, Zoran Zaev and Edi Rama, confirm that the business community of the Western Balkans has been strongly supported by the policy. These agreements should improve trade, ensure the creation of the single labour market, and provide mutual support and help in the emergency situations. 
The first memorandum envisages the increase and expansion of trade exchange and economic relations, gradual removal of barriers, simplification of export and import procedures, exchange of customs and other data in accordance with the regulations of each party.
The memorandum on free access to the labour market of the Western Balkans is aimed at facilitating the obtaining and using of work permits for citizens of the Republic of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania. The Agreement on cooperation in protection against disasters envisages that three countries should help each other in the case of disasters, as well as in planning and implementing the measures of protection against flooding, earthquake, fire, environmental pollution, and other disasters. 
The Business Forum in Skopje was held in the joint organization of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, and together with political leaders of the region, it was attended by more than 400 businesspeople.