Enhancing cooperation between Western Balkan countries and the United Kingdom by intensifying trade and encouraging British investments in the region were the primary goals of the UK-Western Balkans Commercial Conferenceheld on 20 November in Belgrade, Serbia.

The conference provided a platform for communication between key business decision-makers to identify collaboration opportunities and initiate discussions with prominent partners in strategic sectors. It also allowed representatives of the six Western Balkan chambers of commerce, united under the WB6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), to present the region's collective potential to the UK business delegation.

The UK Ambassador to Belgrade, Edward Ferguson, remarked that now is the right time to strengthen trade ties between the United Kingdom and the Western Balkans, highlighting the region's consistent growth and the UK's potential as a strong partner in information technology and green transition sectors.

Regional cooperation was emphasized in the addresses of all representatives from the Western Balkan chambers of commerce. Representing the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Project Manager Mihajlo Donev, M.Sc., stated that the United Kingdom is a significant partner for the region, evidenced by trade exceeding 4.5 billion pounds in 2023. He added that UK-Macedonian relations are on a positive trajectory, with trade reaching 1.64 billion dollars. The United Kingdom is our second-largest trading partner in terms of investments, making Macedonia the UK's largest trading partner in the Western Balkans.

Donev highlighted the investment opportunities in Macedonia and the country’s competitive advantages, including its favorable geographical location, liberalized foreign trade policy, competitive tax policy, skilled and competitive workforce, and robust infrastructure within the 14 technological and industrial development zones.

During the conference, panels were held to discuss collaboration opportunities in key sectors such as ICT, infrastructure, green energy, and the food sector. Additionally, the regional conference facilitated business meetings between companies from the region and potential British partners. These meetings provided Macedonian export-oriented companies with another opportunity to explore entry into the UK market.