Foreign investors content with Macedonia's business and investment policies: poll
The business and investment policies of the government are laid on stable foundations as foreign investors are content with the conditions for running businesses and investing. Low taxes, the proactive approach of government institutions, as well as the geographical location of the country, i.e. an easy access to Europe’s market, has been singled out as being the most favorable conditions, according to a poll.
The latest poll was conducted by the government in the past three weeks in which 30 foreign investors in Macedonia from the automotive industry, manufacturing sector, etc, participated.
96% of those surveyed said they were satisfied with the investment climate, 82% said the climate was excellent or very good with 86% saying they would chose Macedonia again as a country to invest in, said Deputy PM Vladimir Pesevski and Viktor Mizo, Director of the Directorate for Technological and Industrial Development Zones.
“The poll is yet another confirmation of the favorable business and investment climate in Macedonia and the right track followed by the government-run policies. Still, there’s much room for improvement and as a result efforts are being made to produce even better results,” Pesevski told a news conference Monday and announced that a fresh set of measures in the sphere was being prepared.
According to the poll, over 50% of foreign investors in Macedonia have expanded their investments while more than 80% are planning to open new production lines.
“We are greatly pleased with the fact that 93% of the companies polled would recommend Macedonia as a favorable investment destination to their partners, which is also one of our goals. By doing so, foreign investors in Macedonia are becoming a promoter of some sorts of the country,” noted Pesevski.
Mizo said that 68% of foreign investors in Macedonia were content with the government support calling it excellent or very good. 75% of companies that had faced any kind of issue said they were satisfied with the excellent efficiency demonstrated by state institutions.
The poll was carried out as part of the continuing dialogue of the government with foreign investors in Macedonia in order to listen to their assessment, detect possibilities to further improve its polices and measures and to use the experiences of present foreign companies in upcoming negotiations with potential new investors.