The Government's economic team led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski presented Macedonia's economic and investment potentials before about 50 Norwegian companies at a business forum in Oslo on Friday.

PM Gruevski stressed the objective is to enhance economic cooperation between the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Macedonia.

"It is magnificent to see up close the successes of a country with the highest global human development index, i.e. the best combination of living standard, education and life expectancy, the second-ranked country according to the GDP per capita, and one of the top ten countries for doing business in 2012. Many countries have rich findings of natural resources, but the Kingdom of Norway has shown the world the importance of wisdom and vision in using them for the well-being of its citizens", said Gruevski.

He added that taking into account the economic potentials and excellent friendly bilateral relations, there are enormous unused possibilities for commercial and investment cooperation.

"This forum is the right step towards their identification, stressing comprehensive reforms in the business environment implemented by the Government", said Gruevski.

According to him, the business forum aims at presenting Macedonia's potentials as a small, but fast-growing European economy, which the World Bank's Doing Business Report listed among the top three reformers in the world.

"The Macedonian economy has continually been characterized by macroeconomic stability and 2.5 percent average inflation rate, it has signed free trade agreements with EU and CEFTA states, as well as Turkey and the Ukraine, implementing a policy of low budget deficit and precautionary indebtedness", emphasized PM Gruevski.

He also briefed Norwegian businessmen on tax reforms and the country's qualified labor.

"As a result of the improved business climate and activities towards Macedonia's promotion as a business destination, the country has managed to attract renowned companies in the technological-industrial development zone near Skopje, but such zones have also been established in Stip, Tetovo and another one in Skopje, offering benefits to investors", said Gruevski.

He stressed that Macedonia's top priority remains EU and NATO accession.

"A Norwegian saying goes 'Only he who wanders, finds new paths'. I strongly believe that today's meeting with help in informing potential investors and trading partners about the economic policies and investment opportunities. I urge Norwegian businessmen to visit Macedonia and use its comparative advantages", concluded PM Gruevski.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski, Minister for Foreign Investments Vele Samak and deputy director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion Hristijan Delev also addressed the forum.