Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski led a large delegation of Government members and business promoters in Columbus, Ohio, where they presented investment opportunities in Macedonia for some of the leading companies in this American industrial powerhouse. The delegation attended a forum organized by the Columbus 2020 economic chamber, which was first leg of the US visit by the Prime Minister, who will also attend the United Nations General Assembly.

In his remarks, Gruevski focused on the package of investment incentives Macedonia offers and has so far used to bring major car parts producers in some of the free economic zones operating across the country. These include low and flat taxes and free industrial zones with pre-prepared construction sites that also offer additional tax relief. Gruevski also said that Macedonia has a growing economy, low debt levels, stable inflation rates and is close to the major European markets.

"One of the most important programs that our country has implemented in the past years and helped us to improve the business climate is the 'regulatory guillotine' to cut unnecessary regulations, that was implemented with feedback from the chambers of commerce and over 300 differently sized companies. This project helped remove or reduce thousands of bureaucratic procedures that were impeding the work of both domestic and foreign companies", Gruevski told the business representatives in Columbus.

Speakers at the forum included Frank Brandenberg, Chairman of the board of the Kemet Electronics company that recently opened a plant near the Macedonian capital Skopje. Brandenberg said that, on top of industrial production, the company opened a support center in Macedonia as well. "We did this not only because of the language skills the people in Macedonia have, but also because of the business acumen. When our clients call and have questions about pricing or deliveries, the employees not only speak Italian, German or other European languages, but also understand their needs and have an understanding of how business works", Brandenberg said.

Columbus, the 15th largest city in the United States and the capital of Ohio, has developed education, banking, technology, industry, healthcare, insurance and aviation industries. The state also has a major Macedonian community, in Columbus and Cleveland, who help in establishing connections between Macedonia and the United States.