Saturday, February 24, 2007

Ten Questions About Macedonia

Ten Questions You Wanted Answered About Macedonia - But Never Dared to Ask:

1. How Big is the Macedonian Market?

2 million consumers

10 million consumers

20 million consumers

60 million consumers

Most People answer…

2 million consumers

WRONG!!!

Through its well developed and growing system of symmetrical and asymmetrical array of free trade agreements – Macedonia gives you direct access to well over 600 million consumers in the region – from Turkey to Slovenia.

2. What is Macedonia's Biggest Market?

Former republics of Yugoslavia and especially the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

The European Union and especially Germany and Greece

Turkey and the Arab World

Central Europe

Most People answer…

The former republics of Yugoslavia and especially the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

WRONG!!!

Macedonia's biggest market by far – almost 60% of its trading volume, both exports and imports – is the European Union. Its position is comparable to the Czech Republic in that more than 75% of its international trade is conducted with either the European Union or with the USA.

3. Macedonia's GDP Per Capita is…

700 US dollars

1,100 US dollars

300 DM

Almost 2,000 US dollars

Most people answer…

About 700 US dollars.

WRONG!!!

Even in 1998, Macedonia's GDP per capita was 1,865 US dollars per capita. Adjusted to purchasing power (PPP) and taking into consideration the informal sector of the economy – Macedonia's GDP per capita is probably c. 5,000 US dollars per annum.

By comparison – the Czech Republic non-PPP adjusted GDP per capita in 1998 was also 5,000 US dollars.

4. Macedonia's Level of Corruption is…

Exceedingly high

Very high

Like South Europe

Like Africa

Most people answer…

Very high.

WRONG!!!

According to Transparency International, Macedonia's level of corruption is MEDIUM (66th place out of 99 countries in its 1999 report), below many countries and even below some members of the European Union. It has one of the lowest rates of violent crime and property crimes in the world – though, unfortunately, property crimes and drug-related crimes are on the rise as modernization proceeds apace.

5. The Level of Wages in Macedonia is…

Very high, comparable to the European Union

Very low, comparable to Africa

Comparable to other countries in transition

Comparable to other developing countries

Most people answer…

Comparable to other developing countries.

WRONG!!!

Macedonia's workforce – one of the most well educated in the countries in transition – is much cheaper in RELATIVE terms than the workforce in other countries in transition. The average salary in Macedonia is comparable to most other countries in transition and is around 400 euros a month. BUT, the productivity of the Macedonian worker, as measured by GDP per worker is much higher. Macedonia produces (without the informal sector of the economy) c. 3.5 billion euros a year with c. 350,000 active workers. This is c. 10,000 euros per worker. The salary paid to a Macedonian worker constitutes, therefore, 20% of his product.

6. Macedonia is…

Investor friendly

Investor averse

So-so, not different to other countries in transition

Investor indifferent

Most people answer…

Investor averse.

WRONG!!!

Investors ignored Macedonia mainly if not only because of geopolitical external shocks. Despite this, Macedonia succeeded to attract almost 200 million US dollars in 1997-8 only. Another 200 million were invested in 1999, the year of Kosovo and the refugee crisis. Macedonia is the first to have legislated a law for free economic zones and it has an impressive array of tax and investment incentives in place. By implementing a one-stop shop concept, it is doing its utmost to isolate the prospective investor from red tape and potential official corruption. It is gradually but steadily injecting added transparency into the investment and procurement processes. And it is transforming itself into a free trade hub and the axis of a regional free trade zone in conjunction with its neighbours with which it is now on historically unprecedented friendly terms.

7. Property Rights in Macedonia are…

Non existent

Poorly developed and protected

Like in all other countries in transition

Adequately developed and protected

Most people answer…

Poorly developed and protected.

RIGHT!!!

Despite the fact that Macedonia has a fine legislative infrastructure, its courts and its bureaucrats, its banking system, its collateral system and its property registrars are all poorly developed and dysfunctional to varying degrees.

This is a top priority of the last few administrations. Legislation is adapted, law enforcement agents – especially judges – are educated, mortgage registration, collateral registration, company registrars – all is being revamped. The aim is to provide investors with maximal protection of their rights and property.

Today the main problem is not securing property rights or due process. The main problem is the DELAY, the TIME LAG and the BACKLOG in doing so. This is an improvement over the past – but it is still a sorry state.

Still, Macedonia being the small and informal country that it is, the office of every minister and every civil servant is open to investors, who are provided with unparalleled access to the highest level of government.

Moreover: Macedonia never had problems of currency convertibility, repatriation of profits or investments or default. Its debt is medium by international standards (60% of GDP, most of it long term and to multilateral and international financial institutions). It has 9 months of imports in foreign currency reserves. Its debts are trading at 75% of their face value – better than most developing countries, a sign of international confidence in its obligations. It has recently become only the second country in the world to prepay its Paris Club debts.

8. Macedonia's Infrastructure is…

Decrepit and inadequate

Like in other poor countries

Sufficient but not well maintained

Excellent

Most people answer…

Like in poor countries.

WRONG!!!

Don't forget that Macedonia was a part of one of the most sophisticated markets in the world – the Former Yugoslav Federation. Its infrastructure is insufficient and often badly maintained – but not uniformly so. Some types of infrastructure are highly developed, even by European standards. For instance, there are more than 100,000 mobile phone subscribers in a workforce of less than 750,000 people. Macedonia has one of the most developed wireless networks in Europe – it far surpasses the systems of Central Europe. It is rich in electronic media. The Internet is gaining ground though penetration is still low. It has a few German-quality autobahns – connecting Macedonia to its neighbours and, in a few years, to every country in Europe, West and East.

9. Macedonia is Isolated and in a War Zone

No American multiple choice here.

Yes, Macedonia is situated in a turbulent area.

But it is also an area bigger and more naturally endowed than Central Europe.

And - with the exception of the skirmishes with a segment of its Albanian minority in 2001 - Macedonia has never been involved in any war activities.

It has always been an island of stability and smooth democratic transition.

It hasn't been isolated for years now. Its neighbour Greece is one of its greatest trading partners and investors. Its other neighbour Bulgaria has signed with it a series of economic collaboration agreements, including a free trade agreement.

With the advent of the reconstruction of the Balkans, Macedonia is a uniquely positioned multi-ethnic society, with Albanians and Macedonians in its government. Trusted by all its neighbours, it is bound to become a pivotal player in the stability and growth of this part of the world.

10. Macedonia's Orientation is Not Clear

It has always been the same:

Prosperity

Growth

Opportunities

Achievements

Happiness

All these come today bundled with democracy and one model or another of free market economy.

Macedonia has adopted both enthusiastically.

It is a pro-Western, pro-European country aspiring to become a member of the Euro-Atlantic structures. Hopefully, it will.

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