The Association of Rotary Clubs of the Republic of North Macedonia on the 5th of April 2019, welcomed over 200 guests to the first Regional conference entitled “THE NATIONAL ECONOMY ON THE PATH TOWARDS EU – challenges and experiences”. Taking place in Hotel Doubletree by Hilton Skopje, the conference was officially opened by Mr. Zoran Todorov, Coordinator of the Association of Rotary Clubs in the Republic of North Macedonia, after the traditional symbolic ringing of the Rotarian bell. As a part of the District 1912 Slovenia-North Macedonia, Mr. Janez Lipec, Governor of District 1912 and Mr. Marijan Bulat, Rotary Coordinator of Zone 19P, also had a brief address, welcoming the guests at the conference. Following the Rotarian greetings, their own welcoming addresses had H.E. Milan Jazbec, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of North Macedonia and Prime Minister, Mr. Zoran Zaev, who saluted the Rotary mission and contribution to society.
In the spirit of Rotarianism, the purpose of the conference was through exchange of experiences to create greater cooperation and encourage all stakeholders in the society to contribute to the country’s EU accession process. Considering the scope and multi-layered concept of the conference, it was divided into three panel discussions, with high representatives of the institutions in the country, experts and guests from the region as speakers.
The first panel discussion was on the topic of “National economies prior and after EU accession – challenges and experiences from the region”, moderated by the experienced economist, Zoran Jovanovski. Marija Tufekcic, director of “Plavi Partner Ltd.” consultancy company from Croatia, Damir Kuder, member of the Management Board of NLB Banka Skopje and Vanco Uzunov, as an external associate of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia on economic affairs, exchanged their experiences and knowledge in the field at the first discussion. The following, second panel was dealing with “The growth potentials and the risks to the national economy – what are our gains and losses?”, putting the Head of OPS1 Section of the Delegation of the European Union, Freek Janmaat, the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of N.Macedonia, Branko Azeski, the President of the Organization of Employers of the Republic of North Macedonia, Angel Dimitrov and Fatmir Besimi, an external associate of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia on European issues and coordination for economic growth on the foreground. Again, moderated by Zoran Jovanovski, the experts discussed the economic potentials, gains, losses, as well as the current and future market streams.
Lastly elaborated, the discussion on the topic of “Energy sector – potential for economic development” was introduced by the economic journalist, Aleksandra Spasevska, who moderated the discourse between the experts in the field – M.Sc. Marko Bislimoski, President of the Energy Regulatory Commission of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stefan Peter, President of the Management Board of EVN Macedonia AD, as well as the guest speakers from Slovenia, Robert Spendl, technical director of “Aqualab” water treatment company and D.Sc. Iztok Seljak, coordinator of Green energy “Project Edison”.
This first Regional conference hosted by the Association of Rotary Clubs of the Republic of North Macedonia was one step ahead in highlighting the need for continuous dialogue, applied solutions and providing sustainability through economic development, enhancing the importance of strengthening of the country’s total capacities, emphasizing that the EU integration process and membership require great flexibility and adaptability by the business sector, and all of that was achieved through common dialogue and share of experiences with partners from the region, representatives of the countries that are EU member states, as Slovenia and Croatia.
As Rotarians, using their vision, passion, dedication and energy, we strive to make an active contribution and to realize projects that will provide a long-lasting value for the society.
Media:
Conference Agenda
Short video from the conference is available here
Complete videos from the conference: Introductions, Panel 1, Panel 2 and Panel 3.
Pictures are availabe at our Facebook album.
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