Bitici: Let's look at regional competitiveness, instead of regional competition
Our wider region should work to bring the supply chain closer to the borders of the European Union. Since distant supply markets have proven unsustainable, we need to look to regional competitiveness, rather than regional competition, to create a market that will compensate for products coming from those distant countries and become a strong and reliable partner for the entire European Union. "Near" or "Friend Shoring" processes are inevitable and we as a region must take advantage of the opportunity, said today the Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bitici at the business forum in Zagreb.
The Forum, which is organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Croatia, is attended by representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia, the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Macedonia, the Union of Chambers of Commerce, as well as a large number of companies from both countries.
Bitici emphasized to the audience that Croatia, as a member state of the EU, is part of the single market of the Union, towards which our country also strives, and that while we are preparing for entry, many standards are already harmonized with those of the Union.
- We will take the experiences of Croatia as lessons for faster integration of our country. It is great that today we have representatives from the chambers here who I believe can intensify the cooperation between businesses in Croatia and North Macedonia, because through a formalized approach from both sides there will be greater two-way communication and I am convinced that it would be fruitful, because through systemic and thoroughly articulating the requirements of the companies, appropriate solutions can be found to overcome the challenges, Bitici concluded.
At the Business Forum, representatives of the Cabinet of the Vice Prime Minister Bitici gave a presentation to the audience about the opportunities and conditions for investment in our country.
At the meeting, as stated, the two vice-presidents also talked about the bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia.
-The Ministries of Finance of the two countries, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia, will further regulate all additional rights and obligations related to the double taxation agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia, in order for the companies of the two countries to have the right of VAT deduction for sales made in the other country, according to the announcement.
