„Dimitrie Cupovski“ 13, 1000 Skopje +38923244000 ic@mchamber.mk
„Dimitrie Cupovski“ 13, 1000 Skopje +38923244000 ic@mchamber.mk
“It is better to have the Chamber as a partner to the government in shaping laws than as an opponent in their implementation.”
– James Harold Wilson, UK Prime Minister, 1970s
1922–2019: Three More Years to Mark a Century of Chamber Organization in Macedonia
As advocates of business interests and the voice of the business sector, chambers of commerce are institutions with a long history and play a significant economic role in every country, regardless of the system of chamber governance.
Macedonia, as part of the Ottoman Empire, held a strategic position at the crossroads of key routes (east, west, north, and south). Historical Turkish documents from the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of both historical and cultural change, mention the formation of so-called “odası”—guild associations that represent the early beginnings of chamber organization in Macedonia.
According to official records, the first instances of chamber organization in Macedonia date back to 1922, with the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry based in Skopje under the relevant law. In 1931, chambers were transformed into advisory and auxiliary bodies of state authorities, assuming certain public and legal functions, such as issuing permits, certificates, and identifications, conducting arbitration, and appointing experts. The Charter of the Presidium of ASNOM, issued on 18 February 1945, established a unified Chamber of Commerce and Industry with jurisdiction over the Macedonian federal unit. This marked the beginning of an intensive period of economic and chamber organization development in the Republic of Macedonia.
By 1962, the chambers had been reorganized into the Economic Chamber of Macedonia under a new law. Several sectoral chambers operated during this time, significantly contributing to the affirmation of chamber organization in the Republic of Macedonia. In December 2004, the Law on the Economic Chamber of Macedonia redefined the Chamber as a business and professional association tasked with harmonizing, representing, and protecting the interests of its members. Operating under a private law model, the Chamber has more than 15,000 voluntary members. Since 1994, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia has been a member of the International Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber has played a pivotal role in advancing Macedonia's economy by enhancing workforce skills, improving production quality, and promoting economic potential through its propaganda, promotional, and representative functions of its specialized organizations, established by the Chamber.
From December 2004, with the enactment of the Law on the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, the Chamber became a professional business association that aligns, represents, and protects the interests of its members. With the establishment of a private law model of chamber organization, it now includes over 15,000 members on a voluntary basis.
Businesses based in the Republic of Macedonia, engaging in economic activity and registered in the trade register, can voluntarily join the Chamber. Additionally, other entities contributing to the improvement of the economy’s operations are also eligible to join.
Since 1970, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia has been awarding the May Day Prize. In 1994, this was renamed the Economic Chamber Prize of Macedonia, presented annually to mark the Chamber's Day on 18 February.
In the same year, 1994, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia achieved membership status in the International Chamber of Commerce.
The role of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia is evident in fostering development.
Its contribution to the overall economic progress and shaping of the economic environment is undeniable.
The significance of chambers of commerce has steadily increased, becoming a measure of the development of market economies and democracy in society. These are dynamic institutions primarily tasked with promoting development by supporting businesses. They reflect the state of national economic entities. As advocates for the interests and voice of the business sector, chambers have a long history and serve as a significant economic factor in every country, regardless of the type of chamber system in place.
Chambers mirror the level of development in socio-political and economic relations, and thereby, the degree of market economy maturity in a nation. Today, chambers offer a wide range of services to their members.
95 YEARS OF CHAMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
On 17 February 2017, in the presence of the country’s entire business elite, accompanied by influential Macedonian and international economic and political figures, the 95th anniversary of the existence and operation of the oldest and largest business association in the country, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, was solemnly and appropriately celebrated in a working spirit.
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The anniversary celebration was enriched by a roundtable discussion on the topic: “The Position of Small Countries in the International Economy – Advantages and Disadvantages”. This discussion was initiated as a result of two years of work by chambers of commerce and their members to develop and practically implement a significant initiative—the Entrepreneurs’ Connectivity Initiative for Small Countries, which arose from the need to foster connections, joint action, and a shared approach to tackling the challenges of doing business in particularly difficult times.
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The roundtable featured distinguished representatives from business, academia, and business associations, as well as former prime ministers and presidents from the region and beyond, who originate from or work in small countries, including Milo Đukanović, Montenegrin statesman, Stjepan Mesić, experienced Croatian politician and statesman, Branko Roglić, owner of Orbico, Croatian billionaire, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the region, and a leading distributor in Europe, Sveto Janevski, Chair of the Board of VV Tikveš, a major Macedonian brand in business and management, Dr. Vladimir Gligorov, international economic expert from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, focusing on research in Balkan countries, Dr. Aleksandar Vlahović, President of the Serbian Association of Economists and chief organizer of the Kopaonik Business Forum, Prof. Dr. Kocho Angjushev, CEO of the Fero Invest Group, professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at UKIM, Vice President of the Chamber, and a successful Macedonian businessman and entrepreneur, Prof. Dr. Dragan Mikerević, professor at the Faculty of Economics in Banja Luka, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Accountants and Auditors of the Republic of Srpska, and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Jemal Inaishvili, President of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry, member of the General Council of the World Chambers Federation, former MP and Deputy Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Sava Dalbokov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sparkasse Bank Macedonia AD Skopje and Board Member of Steiermärkische Bank und SparkassenAG, Austria, Dr. Zlatko Simonovski, General Director and Chair of the Board of FAKOM AD Skopje, one of the largest companies in Southeastern Europe in the metal processing industry, Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and Safet Gerxhaliu, President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce.
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94 YEARS OF CHAMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
The anniversary marked by awards and recognitions from the Economic Chamber of Macedonia for 2015 and the introduction of the dual education system as a key priority for 2016.
At the ceremonial session of the Assembly of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, marking the 94th anniversary of chamber organization in the Republic of Macedonia, the Chamber’s President, Branko Azeski, addressed the attendees, expressing satisfaction that after so many years of experience, the Chamber remains a brand and leader in the chamber system not only in the country but also in the region.
Azeski emphasized that achieving the Chamber’s optimal function requires consensus between the public and private sectors, without which economic progress is impossible. "We need action, we need to seek new markets and work tirelessly to develop our industry," he underscored.
As part of the ceremonial session, the Economic Chamber of Macedonia presented awards and other recognitions for 2015.
93 YEARS OF CHAMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
In 2015, the Year of Competitiveness, the Chamber celebrated its 93rd anniversary with a formal commemoration of this significant milestone in chamber organization in the Republic of Macedonia. On this occasion, a regional conference was organized under the theme: “Progressive and Efficient Opening of the Public Procurement Market for CEFTA Agreement Signatory Countries.”
The anniversary celebration was attended by distinguished guests, including representatives of state institutions, the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Macedonia, international institutions, associations, partners, and supporters of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia.
The Economic Chamber of Macedonia is the leading business association in the country, a member of numerous international organizations and institutions, and a co-founder of joint chambers and business councils, contributing to the successful representation and advocacy of its members' interests both domestically and internationally. Establishing international contacts and participating in various international business forums, trade fairs, educational and promotional events serve as a means to support and enhance the business activities of Chamber members.
The Economic Chamber of Macedonia has always supported entrepreneurs and businesses in the country. It takes pride in being the oldest and most influential business association in Macedonia. Despite the establishment of a pluralistic chamber system in the region, it has retained its status as a leading Chamber with 93 years of experience.
92 YEARS OF CHAMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
On 18 February 2014, the Chamber marked its 92nd anniversary with a conference titled “Arbitration in the CEFTA Region as a Tool for Economic Development”, which focused on identifying the state of arbitration dispute resolution in CEFTA member countries and addressing challenges faced by arbitration institutions in handling disputes with international elements. The event sought to develop methods to improve arbitration mechanisms to better protect the interests of parties involved in international disputes, contributing to further advancement of the arbitration dispute resolution framework.
91 YEARS OF CHAMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
The 91st anniversary of the Chamber’s existence was marked with a formal ceremony at the Chamber’s headquarters on 18 February 2013. That year, the commemoration took the form of a modest gathering of companies that had demonstrated resilience during the economic crisis of 2008 by investing in new production facilities and generating employment, proving that the Macedonian economy has a future.
It was emphasized that the Chamber, within its legal mandate, would continue to support those who align their activities with its key priorities:
On this occasion, the Chamber also presented awards to managers who had invested in new production facilities in the Republic of Macedonia from 2008 to the present.
