ATO/Baran: We Aim to Strengthen the Bridge of Hearts Between Turkey and North Macedonia Through Trade and Investments

Forex - The Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), Gürsel Baran, stated that many sectors in North Macedonia are viewed as potential investment areas by Turkish entrepreneurs, highlighting that Macedonia is an important transit and distribution center in the Balkans. Baran said, “It is possible to state that both our countries have significant potential in terms of mutual trade as well as trade with third countries. We want to strengthen the strong ties and emotional bridge between Turkey and North Macedonia through trade and investment.”

North Macedonia's Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi, and the accompanying delegation met with merchants and industrialists from the capital at a meeting organized by ATO. The meeting, hosted by ATO Chairman Gürsel Baran and ATO Council President Mustafa Deryal, saw participation from representatives of various sectors including defense, automotive, iron and steel, industrial machinery manufacturing, agricultural machinery, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals. Present at the meeting were North Macedonia's Ambassador in Ankara Jovan Manasijevski, the President of the Albania-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group and AK Party Edirne MP Fatma Aksal, the Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) Seyit Ardıç, Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan, the Chairman of the North Macedonia Friendship Group Ahmet Kılıç, 24th Term İzmir MP and President of the Balkan Strategic Research Association Rifat Sait, ATO Vice Council President Ali İhsan Özdemir, ATO Board Members Ahmet Akça and Ali İhsan Güçlü, and members of ATO committees and councils, as well as representatives of civil society organizations.

Speaking at the meeting held at ATO’s Duatepe Hall, ATO President Gürsel Baran noted that many sectors in North Macedonia are regarded as potential investment areas by Turkish entrepreneurs. He emphasized, “There are over 100 Turkish companies operating in sectors such as banking, construction, health, airport management, education, textiles, ready-made clothing, dairy products, insurance, hospitality, and tourism in North Macedonia. These investments amount to approximately 1.5 billion dollars, and Turkish companies provide employment for nearly five thousand people. Given that Macedonia serves as an important transit and distribution center in the Balkans, it is possible to state that our countries hold significant potential in terms of both mutual trade and trade with third countries.”

-BRINGING POTENTIAL TO ACTION- Stating that a Free Trade Agreement has been in effect between Turkey and Macedonia since September 1, 2000, ATO President Gürsel Baran remarked, “Despite all these opportunities and proximity, the trade volume between our countries is below 1 billion dollars. We believe that there is a potential far exceeding this figure and that we must activate this potential. We want to strengthen the strong ties and emotional bridge between Turkey and North Macedonia through trade and investment.” Baran expressed satisfaction that Turkish goods are preferred in the country, emphasizing the positive image of Turkey in North Macedonia.

Baran also provided information about the activities of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce and the Ankara economy.

-OBJECTIVE TO DOUBLE MUTUAL TRADE- North Macedonia's Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi, also noted that Turkey and Macedonia share a history of friendship spanning 500 years and stated that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of North Macedonia after it declared independence in 1991. Subsequently, Durmishi expressed that Turkey has supported Macedonia in all matters and indicated their desire to develop these relations in terms of mutual trade and investment.

Durmishi also mentioned that they aimed to double the import and export figures between Turkey and North Macedonia during his speech, where he shared that they visited Turkey’s Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş as part of the Turkish programs. He said, “As investors coming to our country, we are ready to provide all the support we can as the government.”

Expressing that North Macedonia holds potential in the energy, metal, and construction sectors, Durmishi provided information about investment opportunities in his country and invited Turkish investors to invest in North Macedonia. He elaborated on the changes in the structure of some ministries with the establishment of the new government in North Macedonia, stating that the current Directorate of Foreign Trade within his Ministry will be integrated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the new restructuring. He indicated a desire to update the Free Trade Agreement as quickly as possible with this transition and provided information about investment zones in North Macedonia.

Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan stated that Halkbank has been operating in North Macedonia for approximately 13-14 years. He noted that the bank has 47 branches in the country and expressed that Halkbank provides services not only to Turkish investors but also to investors in North Macedonia.

The meeting was also attended by Mehmet Ziya Çelik, the Chairman of ATO’s 64th Cleaning and Private Security Services Professional Committee, Yalçın Yılmaz, the Vice Chairman of the 17th Textiles-Ready-made Garment Committee, Hayati Akbaba, a member of the 2nd Ready-made Clothing and Knitting Committee, Cem Kuyumcu, a member of the 42nd Energy Sector Committee, and Hakan Bilgin, a member of the 46th Flat Iron and Steel Products Committee.