We should see the processes as they are and be realistic. We need to be aware that our small and medium-sized enterprises are not competitive in a classic, open, liberal system, and we need to say this publicly, directly, and openly, Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski at a business conference Thursday.
Nikoloski says if this situation continues, it would result in three effects that would destroy the economy: a deficit with money leaving the country; an imbalance, especially in foreign exchange; and emigration because people will not be able to find work in the country.
“We must find a mechanism with which we will protect domestic companies. It is already starting to happen that there is no Macedonian company that applies for public procurements of EUR 500,000. If a small company cannot win one or two procurements in its own municipality worth EUR 500,000 – EUR 600,000, then how will that company exist? That is one aspect that I want to open. In terms of large procurements, it is often said that domestic companies do not have the capacity, which I partly agree with, I often communicate with them and criticize them, but the question is how will they create capacity if we do not give them a chance,” Nikoloski stressed.
According to the deputy PM, if a company that has built three motorways of the same size is required for the construction of a motorway, funded by a certain international financial institution, then none of the Macedonian companies would meet the requirements.
