The President of the Economic Chamber, Branko Azeski, hosted a government–business delegation from Uzbekistan currently on a study visit to Macedonia under a project supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) — “Private Sector Development and Economic Policy Advisory in Uzbekistan.” The aim of the visit is to provide practical insights, through meetings with companies and institutions, into attracting foreign direct investment, the operation of free industrial zones, the benefits of smart specialization strategies, advanced manufacturing, productivity, sustainability practices, and the links between education, innovation, and industry.

Addressing the atendees, President Azeski emphasized the importance of the delegation’s visit to the Chamber as the oldest and largest institution of its kind, with 104 years of experience. He highlighted the need to initiate more intensive economic and trade cooperation with Asian countries, noting that Uzbekistan — as a large country with a strategic location, a population of 38 million, and economic indicators (GDP, exports, etc.) that signal progress — could serve as a bridge for cooperation with other countries in the region. The Economic Chamber, Azeski noted, stands ready to represent the interests of companies in investment, export, and the strengthening of mutual economic relations, offering its institutional infrastructure to support concrete future initiatives. He further stressed that Macedonia, as a small country at the center of the Balkans and surrounded by strong economic competitors, can pursue its development through three key priorities: increasing exports of domestic products to secure greater foreign currency inflows and stimulate economic activity; strengthening regional cooperation to reduce transport costs that currently weaken the competitiveness of Macedonian products in EU markets; and aligning education with business needs to produce a skilled labor capable of meeting company requirements and entering the labor market quickly.

The meeting with the Uzbek government–business delegation comes at a time when Macedonia and the wider Western Balkans region see growing prospects in expanding economic and trade cooperation with Asian countries, Azeski added.

As host of the delegation, Prof. Dr. Atanas Kochov expressed gratitude for the meeting and noted that the study visit forms part of practical training activities aimed at strengthening the capacities of policy-makers in Uzbekistan, with the ultimate goal of applying these experiences in the establishment of a National Labor Productivity Center.

The delegation originates from the Jizzakh region. Mayor Azimov Zafar Abdumajidovich stated that this was their first visit to Macedonia and that they see potential for deepening the currently modest economic and trade cooperation. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Norboev Bakhtiyor, observed that there is significant potential for enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, including opportunities for Macedonian companies to invest in Uzbekistan. He also announced an international conference on green policies for Central and Eastern Asian countries scheduled for the end of March, inviting President Azeski and Macedonian companies to participate as a starting point for more intensive cooperation between the Western Balkans and that region, with Macedonia taking a leading role in this initiative.

The meeting concluded with President Azeski noting that “the language of business is the same everywhere,” emphasizing that there is clear potential for entering new markets and stimulating export and investment activities — a point underscored by the day’s discussions.