It is a great pleasure to see up close the large strides of a rising market economy, such as Malaysia, which has achieved an average GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent over the past 50 years, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at a business forum, held in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, hosted by the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI).

"From exporter of natural resources and raw materials, your country has built a multi-sectoral economy, which manufactures high-tech products. Let me congratulate the Malaysian people for the remarkable economic achievements, which are yet to be studied", said PM Gruevski in the forum address.

He added that Macedonia and Malaysia shared many similarities, such as multiethnicity and multiculturalism, peace loving and diligence, openness for foreign trade and investments.

"The goal of these business fora is to convey the story of the small, but growing European economy, which recently took third spot among the world's top reformers in the World Bank's 'Doing Business' report", stressed Gruevski.

The PM said the results came following the Government's long-standing efforts for improvement of the business environment and building an image of a very attractive European investment destination. He referred to the low taxes, reduction of social fees, investments in the education field, free trade agreements signed with the EU, EFTA and CEFTA member-states, as well as Turkey and Ukraine.

Wong Lai Sum, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the country's national trade promotion agency, also addressed the forum, referring to the opening of new opportunities for enhancement of bilateral economic relations.

Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski focused on Macedonia's macroeconomic stability and the acknowledgement by international credit rating agencies in Europe's turbulent times. He also referred to the shortened procedures of issuing licenses, as well as the young and educated workforce.

Minister without Portfolio Bill Pavleski presented Macedonia's trade opportunities offered to foreign companies - location, transport and logistical benefits offered to potential investors.

Director of the Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones, Viktor Mizo tackled the benefits offered to investors in the zones, as well as Macedonia's competitive advantages compared to other countries of Southeast and Eastern Europe.

PM Gruevski and delegation members also met with a number of representatives of Malaysian companies.