The Exporters Club, the National Export Council, and the Export Institute will form the backbone of the Economic Chamber over the next 10 years. "We demand, and are working with the Government, to separate politics from the economy and focus on economic issues that should bring progress to the country and GDP growth of over 3%," said Branko Azeski, President of the Economic Chamber and the National Export Council, at today’s session of the Exporters Club at the Chamber.

At the session, attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy, Cvetan Tripunovski, and the Director of the Customs Administration, Boban Nikolovski, discussions revolved around the activities of the Customs Administration to facilitate trade procedures, measures to support competitiveness, and the promotion of exports for companies in the agricultural and food sectors, as well as the strategy for supporting export-oriented companies for the 2024–2028 period.

Minister Tripunovski emphasized the troubling figures regarding how much the country spends on food imports, noting that the situation is worsening year after year. He highlighted the Ministry's intent to increase production, ensure openness and transparency, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, which can be frustrating at times. To this end, he announced efforts toward digitalization to simplify bureaucratic procedures.

"Still, in the first 10 months of this year, there are segments where we have recorded growth as a country. In the export of food, we see an 11% increase, 4.5% for beverages, and a 15% increase in tobacco and tobacco products. Overall, in the 10 months, we have exports amounting to approximately 670 million euros," said Tripunovski.

This, he noted, is a positive signal, with indicators beginning to show that the Government has been performing well over the past six months.

The agricultural and food sector is a significant export contributor with immense potential, and through joint efforts by the private and public sectors, we must work toward leveraging this potential, stated Prof. Dr. Darko Lazarov, President of the Exporters Club. He pointed out that export promotion, aimed at increasing visibility and recognition of local companies and products in foreign markets, is key to success. In this regard, the Exporters Club, together with relevant state institutions, will focus on this mission in the coming period.

"Continuous dialogue and collaboration between the Customs Administration and the business community are foundational to achieving our strategic priorities—enhanced economic competitiveness, economic transformation of the country, and combating corruption and crime. Specific measures have been implemented in these directions, which will contribute to building a democratic and competitive state," emphasized the CA Director Nikolovski.

He added that efforts are also underway to further digitalize customs operations and align them with EU systems.