Today, at the premises of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, a working meeting was held between the Chamber’s President, Mr. Branko Azeski, and representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury – Mr. Thomas Matthew and Ms. Laura Hostelley, revenue policy advisors at the Department.

The purpose of the visit was to exchange information and views on current economic challenges, fiscal policies, and opportunities for deepening cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention was given to the role of the private sector in creating a stable and predictable economic climate, as well as the importance of transparent and efficient public finances.

In his address, President Azeski expressed gratitude for the continuous support and strategic partnership that the U.S. Department of the Treasury provides in strengthening institutional capacities and supporting economic reforms in North Macedonia. He emphasized the importance of such meetings for advancing dialogue and cooperation with international partners.

The meeting also discussed business satisfaction with cooperation with state institutions responsible for collecting public revenues and the services businesses receive from them.

The Economic Chamber of North Macedonia expressed satisfaction with the cooperation to date with the Public Revenue Office and the Customs Administration, particularly in terms of open dialogue and joint problem-solving for challenges faced by companies, while also highlighting the open issues and areas where improvement is possible.

The Chamber welcomed the continuous functioning of the newly established Tax Compliance Council within the Public Revenue Office and considers it a key platform for transparent discussion, exchange of views, and the formulation of practical solutions in the area of taxation, as well as the efforts of the PRO in addressing certain problems faced by businesses. However, as priorities for future work, the Chamber outlined: greater integration of data systems within the Public Revenue Office, automation of processes and acceleration of the issuance of tax acts, strengthening the capacities of inspection services and their continuous training to ensure consistent inspector practices during inspections, the introduction of a “white list” of compliant taxpayers, acceleration of the process for introducing the electronic invoice (e-invoice), continuous fiscalization controls, combating the gray economy in e-commerce, and the need to create a system for timely VAT refunds.

The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere, with mutual agreement to continue communication and cooperation in the future.