The private sector focus of CEFTA week, 2016

December 7, Montenegro. Macedonian Chambers of Commerce (MCC) is a panelist at the conference Sunday, 2016 CEFTA – CEFTA WEEK 2016, which is being held in Podgorica, on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the CEFTA agreement. The main theme of the CEFTA Week 2016 is the importance of the implementation of the CEFTA agreement, with special emphasis on the private sector.

CEO of MCC, Mitko Aleksov, as a speaker at the panel discussion: “Better involvement of the private sector in monitoring the implementation of the CEFTA agreement,” stated:

“CEFTA agreement was intended to contribute to stimulate economic development, facilitate and increase trade between countries members and their integration into the global economy. In order to increase trade requires greater involvement of the private sector in the activities and measures for the elimination of certain non-trade barriers, and the inclusion of construction services, distribution, then environmental services, and recreational, cultural and sporting services will mean additional incentive and opportunity for increased trade and economic cooperation between the countries of CEFTA agreement. Areas subject to liberalization and business and professional services, then tourism, communication, educational, health, financial, and transport services “

In the first two years of the signing of the contract in the period 2006 – 2008, the Republic of Macedonia with CEFTA 2006 realized 28% of total foreign trade (2.1 billion dollars), followed by a period of decrease and stagnation, and this year trade with the countries CEFTA agreement at the level of 10.7% of total foreign trade. A similar trend and other countries because between 60-70% of its foreign trade is performed by the European Union.

 CEFTA Agreement was signed on 19 December 2006 by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Kosovo. Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia joined the European Union, which withdrew from CEFTA. The main objectives of the Treaty establishing the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is the harmonization of economic relations between countries through the development of trade, commercial activities, rising living standards and providing better employment opportunities and increase productivity in order to achieve financial stability.