With the aim of further deepening institutional ties and creating an even more favorable climate for economic cooperation, a working meeting was held today in Sofia between representatives of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The meeting represents a significant step toward intensifying contacts between the two leading business associations, which, despite maintaining established cooperation and institutional communication over the years, recognize a shared need for more frequent direct exchanges and more dynamic coordination.

Participating in the working meeting from the Macedonian side were Mihajlo Donev, Assistant Operations Director for Development, Innovation, and Knowledge, and Daniel Matrakoski, International Cooperation Coordinator at the Economic Chamber, while the host on behalf of BCCI was Gabriela Dimitrova, Director of the International Cooperation and International Organizations Directorate.

The meeting focused on past positive practices, ongoing projects, and fresh perspectives for cooperation between the business communities of the two countries. As a key outcome of the constructive talks, both parties explored opportunities for organizing an upcoming high-level meeting between the presidents and leadership teams of the Economic Chamber and BCCI, which would give the institutional partnership an even clearer long-term trajectory and strategic framework.

During the working session, issues of direct interest to the economy were also reviewed, with emphasis on:

·         Strengthening supply chains and encouraging manufacturing integration with higher added value;

·         Exchanging experiences and pursuing joint initiatives in innovation, technology transfer, and new expertise;

·         Potential project-level cooperation aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of businesses from both sides.

At the meeting, representatives of the Economic Chamber and BCCI also addressed the importance of regional cooperation, placing special focus on their joint membership in the regional Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC), as well as the Chamber's leading role in the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF).

The meeting in Sofia reaffirms the position of both chambers as authentic representatives of the business sector whose shared interest is unequivocally focused on stability, predictability, and progress. Through ongoing dialogue and a practically oriented partnership, the chambers once again demonstrated that cooperation built on pragmatic economic interests remains the most reliable foundation for cultivating long-term trust and sustainable regional development.