As the western terminal point of the railway line, Kichevo has a strong locational basis to support a multimodal transport hub, serving as a transit center where cargo arriving by rail could be transferred to trucks for further transportation (for example, toward Albania or the Port of Durres). This concept is strategically aimed at reducing costs, increasing logistical capacity, and lowering pollution by using rail for the greater portion of freight transport while enabling easy transfer between different modes of transport, said the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski, at the session of the Regional Chamber based in Kichevo.

In the presence of the Mayor of the Municipality, Dr. Aleksandar Jovanovski, and representatives of the regional chambers of Kichevo, Bitola, Prilep, and Ohrid, Azeski emphasized that the concept of cooperation with the Government is aligned with shared positions from both sides that investment activities are key to the country’s economic development. However, for such an idea to be realized, it is necessary to prepare an appropriate project clearly defining the sources of financing, with the possibility of implementation through a public-private partnership.

The concept of international multimodal transport refers to “door-to-door” transport under a single transport operator and is applied within the European Union. Across Europe, more than 600 such multimodal transport facilities operate, connecting consumers and producers in a sustainable manner.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Kichevo, Dr. Aleksandar Jovanovski, addressed the importance of developing businesses in the region. As a representative of the local government, he has initiated efforts to create a favorable business climate in the area. He noted that there is a request for an express road to Bitola, which would connect the region to the Greek border, and expressed hope that Kichevo will become a crossroads and an advantage for business development. A request has also been submitted to the Director of the Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ) to allocate a parcel of land where space could be developed for small businesses, said Mayor Jovanovski. These plots would be used by entrepreneurs from Kichevo, specifically for service and manufacturing companies operating within a so-called small development zone.

The President of the Regional Chamber in Kichevo, Goran Petrevski, informed the attendees that discussions are ongoing with businesspeople from the city and surrounding areas on how to improve the business environment in the region. What is important, Petrevski said, is that the business community wants Kichevo to move forward, but only if the idea of a multimodal transport hub is realized, which would activate the railway line from the city to other destinations in the country and stimulate economic activity.

The session also addressed current economic conditions in the region, support for local companies, and opportunities for joint initiatives between the business community and local self-government.