Effective trade policy is vital for regional integration and alignment with the European Union. This chapter examines how the government of North Macedonia uses trade policy to ease market access and harness digitalisation for enhanced trade facilitation. The first sub-dimension, trade policy framework, assesses the government’s ability to formulate, implement and evaluate trade policy, examining the institutional formulation and co-ordination of trade policy, public-private consultations and the network of free trade agreements. The second sub-dimension, digital trade, focuses on the legal framework for digital trade policy and digital trade facilitation and logistics. The third sub-dimension, export promotion, explores the effectiveness of export promotion agencies and programmes, especially in the context of deepening regional integration.
Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024: North Macedonia
Abstract
North Macedonia’s performance in trade policy has improved since the 2021 cycle (Table 3.1). The improvements were largely driven by positive developments in North Macedonia’s trade policy framework and digital trade policy. While export promotion was not covered under the 2021 assessment cycle, the score also improved since the 2018 evaluation. In two sub-dimensions, North Macedonia outperforms the region and ranks above the regional average for the trade policy dimension.
The key findings are:
North Macedonia is making strides in digital trade facilitation at borders by ongoing efforts to digitalise customs procedures. The introduction of a green customs declaration streamlines import and export processes; these can be completed within one hour and eliminate the need for paper documentation.
In November 2022, the government reinforced consumer protection by expanding the Law on Safety of Goods to include the Law on Consumer Protection, containing measures for e‑commerce and e‑payments.
North Macedonia improved its export promotion structures by establishing the National Export Council in March 2023. Its objective is to facilitate public-private dialogue and complement the mandate of Invest North Macedonia. Despite a broad range of export promotion programmes available, neither of the entities provides direct financing to support exports.
North Macedonia is drafting a new National Strategy for Sustainable Development (2022-42), which will aim for enhanced economic competitiveness by optimising trade flows for sustainability. However, the process has stalled as of early 2024, signalling a shift in government priorities.
In 2022, North Macedonia continued to further integrate into the EU market through trade and investment. There was a notable increase in the share of high-value products in exports and trade openness, both reaching record highs. The share of high-technology exports doubled since 2016 to reach 4% of manufactures’ exports in 2022, though still lagging behind the OECD and the EU average of 18% (World Bank, 2022[1]). North Macedonia's trade percentage in GDP reached 171% in 2022, the highest in the Western Balkan region, up from 148.5% in 2021 (European Commission, 2023[2]). In 2022, North Macedonia's goods exports amounted to EUR 7.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion), while imports reached EUR 11.7 billion (USD 12.8 billion) (WTO, 2023[3]). Services exports reached EUR 2 billion (USD 2.2 billion) in 2022, while services imports stood at EUR 1.5 billion (USD 1.6 billion) in 2022. However, the higher rate of import growth compared to export growth led to a negative contribution from external trade to overall economic growth (European Commission, 2023[2]). In 2022, the European Union stood out as the economy's primary trading partner, making up 59.6% of total trade. This included 78.3% of total exports, up from 77.3% in 2021, and 46.8% of total imports, a slight increase from 46.2% in 2021. As the second most significant trading partner, the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) contributed 10% to overall trade, with exports making up 12.1% and imports at 8.6%, showing a slight shift from the previous year (European Commission, 2023[2]).
North Macedonia efficiently co-ordinates its trade policy formulation through a well-developed system of official committees, councils and working groups, all overseen by the Ministry of Economy (MoE). These interministerial committees focus on various aspects, including the execution and negotiation of regional and global agreements such as CEFTA and the World Trade Organization (WTO). They also play a crucial role in facilitating the economy's progress toward European Union accession by preparing the necessary trade policy-related chapters of the acquis and developing or modifying specific trade measures. The MoE is also responsible for overseeing and implementing compliance with Articles 34-36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) related to the free movement of goods in the EU Internal Market.1 A comprehensive screening of the national legal framework has been conducted by the Ministry to identify areas that do not align with these articles. Currently, there is an ongoing effort to draft an Action Plan aimed at eliminating non-tariff trade measures (NTMs)2 and ensuring adherence to Articles 34-36 of the Treaty (European Commission, 2023[2]). Given that in North Macedonia the most frequently encountered challenges for traders include customs bureaucracy, operating hours of customs offices, proficiency of customs officers, and sampling, testing, and inspection procedures associated with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, an Action Plan aimed at eliminating NTMs would be a welcome development (GIZ, 2022[4]).
The interministerial committees have established co-ordination mechanisms to address the complexities of trade policy. Under the MoE’s guidance, these committees meet whenever a trade-related matter arises, or a new regulation is under way. Legal mandates ensure that consultations with relevant ministries take place before presenting projects at government sessions. Ministries and institutions responsible for providing information on trade issues must seek input from the MoE. North Macedonia’s trade policy aligns with CEFTA's Action Plan for a Common Regional Market for the Western Balkans for the period 2021-24. The economy's commitment to environmental objectives is evident in the formulation of trade policy, where considerations include the support of environmentally sustainable global supply chains, responsible business conduct, and adherence to due diligence requirements. North Macedonia is currently in the process of formulating a new National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2022-42. The strategy incorporates improvement of economic competitiveness through the optimisation of trade flows for greater sustainability as one of its key objectives. However, as of early 2024, the strategy has not been adopted, as the focus has shifted towards the Development Framework 2030,3 due to be adopted in late 2024.
North Macedonia has a formalised public-private consultation process constituting an integral part of the legal procedures for adopting legal acts. The government has taken steps to enhance transparency and inclusivity by establishing a dedicated website that allows the private sector to provide transparent feedback on proposed laws. This initiative actively promotes stakeholder inclusivity through the Unique National Electronic Register of Regulations (ENER) platform. As of June 2023, the government introduced several new functionalities,4 which further streamline the public-private consultation process.
However, it is important to note that while consultation summaries are available on line, the timelines, objectives, and topics of consultations are not published in advance. Despite this, the consultation mechanism is continually adjusted based on evaluation results, reflecting a commitment to refining and improving the overall consultation process in North Macedonia.
The economy has moderately broadened its range and scope of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) since the last assessment cycle.5 Despite some moderate advances in broadening the coverage of bilateral and multilateral FTAs, North Macedonia's trade co-operation network remains limited. This limitation could present a challenge to the overall trade integration of North Macedonia, which, being a small and landlocked economy, considers trade integration as a prerequisite for achieving export-led growth.
North Macedonia has a robust policy framework for digital trade, spearheaded by the 2007 Law on Electronic Commerce. This legislation not only establishes conditions for information services in electronic commerce, but also outlines the responsibilities of service providers, regulates commercial communications, and sets rules for the validity of electronic contracts. The comprehensive nature of this law introduces standardised regulations covering various aspects, including electronic contracts, e‑commerce practices, limitations of liability for intermediary service providers, and transparency requirements for online service providers. In a recent development, the government, in November 2022, adopted the Law on Consumer Protection, an extension of the Law on Safety of Goods. This new Law incorporates specific provisions addressing e-commerce and e-payments, reinforcing the legal framework for consumer protection in the digital landscape. Simultaneously, the government in April 2022 enacted the new Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. Aligned with European Union directives6 and regulations, this law addresses e-payment services, ensuring North Macedonia adheres to international standards and practices. The laws are well integrated into the broader SME Strategy (2018-23) and are in accordance with the government's National Information and Communications Technology Strategy (2021-25).
The oversight of digital trade regulations is well distributed across various institutions within North Macedonia's institutional structure. This ensures efficient co-ordination among ministries and agencies in the area of electronic commerce. Specifically, the Ministry of Economy plays the main role in enforcing e‑commerce legislation and associated documents, with a focus on laws related to consumer protection.
North Macedonia continued to implement digital trade facilitation measures at borders to ensure the smoother flow of goods. The ongoing process of digitalising customs procedures progressed, marked by the introduction of a green customs declaration. This innovation facilitates the completion of import and export procedures within an efficient one-hour timeframe, eliminating the need for paper documentation entirely (Box 3.1) (Customs Administration, 2023[5]).
This innovative declaration system marks a significant step towards a fully digitalised and highly efficient customs operation. The system allows economic operators to expedite processes, resulting in substantial time and resource savings.
Under the new system, a total of 833 import and 538 export green customs declarations were processed on its first day, representing 80% of the total lodged declarations. Notably, the customs clearance process for these declarations was successfully concluded within the one-hour timeframe.
For customs clearance within an hour, declarations must be accurately filled out and automatically validated, with all supporting documents attached electronically through the online application system. The system identifies these declarations as non-risky, or "green," exempting them from additional checks and controls, provided customs duties are paid or secured. Once a declaration is placed on the green channel, a one-hour timer begins running, culminating in automatic release into free circulation.
A noteworthy aspect of this digital transformation is that customs agents can execute this streamlined clearance procedure remotely, eliminating the need for physical visits to customs terminals and direct communication with customs officers. Moreover, communication for other declarations, selected either by the system or customs officers for document control based on additional information, also occurs in the system without obstacles.
Source: Customs Administration (2023[5]).
North Macedonia uses an electronic application system, EXIM, for export/import licences and tariff quotas. This online platform links 16 major cross-border regulatory agencies, allowing traders uninterrupted access to licensing information, document submission, and electronic licence receipt through a unified submission. This advanced system elevates digital trade by providing a fully electronic environment, connecting all cross-border agencies throughout the supply chain. Standardised processes, encompassing declarations, licences, permits and certificates will be implemented across all agencies, with the added convenience of supporting electronic fee payments, de facto extending EXIM’s capacity. In November 2023, the Customs Administration implemented the Electronic System for Customs and Excise Declaration (CDPS), streamlining the submission of customs declarations through a paperless and electronic format. CDPS also encompasses modules for electronic signatures, authentication, and electronic processing of customs duties payments. Apart from digital trade facilitation measures, North Macedonia also advanced in streamlining border procedures through the Green Lanes project as the first Green Lane border crossing between North Macedonia and Greece opened in 2022. The exchange of pre-arrival information with Greece enables targeted risk assessments and expedites controls. This development paves the way for extending the Green Lanes initiative to additional EU Member States. These initiatives aim to elevate border processes and streamline the exchange of data. As a result of such efforts, North Macedonia has emerged as a frontrunner among the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators, surpassing its counterparts in the Western Balkan region (Box 3.2).
The OECD has developed Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFIs) to aid governments in streamlining border procedures, lowering trade costs, boosting trade volumes, and maximising benefits from international trade. These indicators also function as a tool for economies to assess the status of policy implementation across various areas and measures specified in the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Source: OECD (2022[6]).
North Macedonia improved in nine out of eleven of the assessed indicators: information availability, involvement of the trade community, fees and charges, simplification and harmonisation of documents, automation, procedures, internal and external border co-operation, governance and impartiality. Its overall trade facilitation performance increased from 1.20 in 2019 to 1.39 in 2022. The closest convergence to OECD levels was observed under fees and charges, documents and advance rulings, although North Macedonia did not reach or exceed OECD scores in any of the indicators. The economy outperformed the Western Balkan average1 in advance rulings, fees and charges, documents, automation, procedures, internal border co-operation, governance and impartiality. Average trade facilitation performance also exceeded the regional average, positioning North Macedonia as one of the leaders among the Western Balkan economies.
1. The assessment covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Source: OECD (2022[6]).
In terms of adhering to international instruments and WTO agreements governing digital trade, North Macedonia lags behind other WTO members among Western Balkan economies, ratifying or adhering to six international instruments dedicated to digital trade (Table 3.2). North Macedonia actively engages in the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on electronic commerce, participating in discussions that span various aspects of e-commerce. These encompass cybersecurity, privacy, business trust, transparency, and consumer protection. Alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, North Macedonia is one of the few Western Balkan economies that have ratified the Convention 108+, which is an extension of the first legally binding treaty ensuring protection of privacy and data. Moreover, North Macedonia adopted its own law regulating data protection in 2020. Looking beyond the Western Balkans, North Macedonia's commitment to various instruments within the JSI framework remains limited. The economy has yet to adhere to the Information Technology Agreement, which eliminates tariffs for a broad spectrum of IT products, and the legally binding UN Electronic Communications Convention, which aims to simplify the use of electronic communications in global trade. Similarly, the economy has not yet embraced essential instruments for electronic transactions, including the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce. This Model Law establishes three key principles for e-commerce legislation: non-discrimination, technological neutrality, and functional equivalence between electronic communications and traditional paper documents, complementing the UN Electronic Communications Convention.
|
Instrument |
Description |
North Macedonia’s adherence |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
E-transaction frameworks |
JSI Participant |
WTO Joint Statement Initiative comprises discussion on trade-related aspects of e‑commerce, including cybersecurity, privacy, business trust, transparency, and consumer protection. |
|
|
UN Electronic Communication Convention |
Convention encourages standardisation of national laws and regulations governing e‑commerce transactions. |
|
|
|
Consumer protection |
OECD Recommendation of the Council on Consumer Protection in E-commerce |
The OECD Recommendation on Consumer Protection in E‑commerce provides guidelines and recommendations for member countries to enhance consumer protection in the context of electronic commerce. The recommendations typically cover various aspects of online transactions to ensure that consumers can engage in e-commerce with confidence and trust. |
|
|
Paperless trading |
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement |
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) includes clauses aimed at accelerating the transit, release, and clearance processes for goods, encompassing those in transit, and outlines measures for fostering efficient collaboration between customs and relevant authorities concerning trade facilitation and customs compliance matters. |
|
|
Cross-border data transfer/privacy |
Convention 108 |
Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data is the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. |
|
|
2001 Additional Protocol to the Convention |
The Additional Protocol reinforces the protection of individuals’ rights in the context of automated processing of personal data, and encourages international co-operation on privacy and data protection matters. |
|
|
|
Convention 108+ |
2018 Amending Protocol to Convention 108 updates the provisions on the flow of personal data among signatories. |
|
|
|
Cybersecurity |
The Convention on Cybercrime of the Council of Europe (Budapest Convention) |
An international treaty aimed at addressing crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks. It serves as a framework for international co-operation in combating cyber threats and promoting a harmonised approach to cybercrime legislation. |
|
|
Goods market access |
The Information Technology Agreement |
The Information Technology Agreement, which, on a most-favoured-nation basis, removes tariffs for a broad range of IT products, including computers and telecommunication equipment. |
|
|
Updated ITA concluded in 2015 |
Covers the expansion of products covered by the Information Technology Agreement by eliminating tariffs on an additional list of 201 products. |
|
Source: OECD (2021[7]).
North Macedonia has demonstrated a proactive approach to export promotion through collaborative efforts co-ordinated by the Agency for Foreign Investment and Export Promotion (Invest North Macedonia).7 Established in 2005 in accordance with the Law on Foreign Investment and Export Promotion, Invest North Macedonia serves as the designated export promotion agency in the economy. Collaborating with various institutions,8 clusters and associations, the agency plays a crucial role in trade and investment facilitation. Its broad mandate encompasses export promotion, inward foreign direct investment (FDI), outward investment promotion, and the screening and approval of investors.
As of early 2024, Invest North Macedonia is in the process of developing a new Export Promotion Strategy to provide support for domestic companies to improve their export performance and shift the focus to exporting higher value added goods and services. There is currently no defined timeline for adoption and implementation.
To complement Invest North Macedonia’s export promotion mandate, the National Export Council (NEC) was established in March 2023 with the objective of actively serving as a primary mechanism to facilitate public-private dialogue, addressing issues related to export promotion and providing support to exporters. While Invest North Macedonia’s mandate is focused on investment attraction, promotion of North Macedonia’s companies on foreign markets and implementing the forthcoming Export Promotion Strategy, the NEC is tasked with developing strategic recommendations for export promotion and co‑ordinating and monitoring export promotion efforts. The NEC is overseen by the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The NEC is positioned to rectify North Macedonia's unfavourable export structure, with 66% of total exported products concentrated within the top 25 export items. Moreover, out of a total of 3 500 exporting companies, only 450 export at values exceeding EUR 914 000 (USD 1 million) (MAKSTAT, 2023[8]), signalling high concentration. The export promotion mandate will be split between the NEC and the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia: the former will be dedicated to reinforcing its internal capacity through the Exporters' Club and the Council for Promotion of Industrial Production and Export; the latter will continue promoting Macedonian companies by organising international trade fair missions and business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
Invest North Macedonia offers a broad range of export promotion programmes and services. Since the last assessment cycle, Invest North Macedonia has introduced a dedicated export database portal to help domestic companies gain insights into export opportunities. Through this portal, companies can showcase their products and services on a global marketplace, boosting their exposure to international importers. The website also hosts a B2B matchmaking portal, fostering connections between potential export and investment partners. In addition to educational support, SMEs can use the website to apply for international trade fairs, streamlining administrative processes. Invest North Macedonia endorses the concept of national stands as a means of collaborative participation in international fairs.
Despite offering an extensive array of support measures for companies focused on exports, Invest North Macedonia does not provide financial support directly to companies. In 2019, through the adoption of the Law of Financial Support of Investment, the agency’s role in approving financial support for companies was reinforced: the agency operates autonomously, regulating types, amounts, conditions, and procedures for providing financial support to investing business entities. However, unlike common practices in the Western Balkans region and among OECD member countries, the agency does not handle direct payments. Typically, export promotion agencies in these regions have a broader mandate allowing them to directly allocate grants to SMEs (OECD, 2018[9]). Furthermore, the low 0.5% annual growth in new exports suggests a need for financial support targeting companies not currently engaged in exporting (World Bank, 2023[10]). By providing financial assistance, there is a potential to encourage new entrants into the export market and consequently increase overall export growth.
To further support North Macedonia’s progress toward strengthening its trade policy, policy makers should:
Ensure effective development and implementation of the new strategy to eliminate non‑tariff trade barriers. This strategy should involve identifying and addressing various non‑tariff barriers, thereby facilitating smoother and more efficient cross-border trade activities in order to comply with Articles 34‑36 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union. The implementation of this new approach involves adopting targeted measures, fostering collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and continually assessing and adapting the strategy to ensure its effectiveness in promoting a more seamless and inclusive trade environment.
Further expand and deepen the regional trade agreements (RTAs). North Macedonia has achieved notable advancements in regional trade liberalisation. Nevertheless, exploring opportunities in the global trade network should not be overlooked, and emphasis should be placed on further export diversification. The economy should continue its endeavours to enhance global trade integration. The significance of RTAs becomes apparent in export growth, as firms engaging in markets with more comprehensive agreements tend to demonstrate higher productivity, profitability, and larger operational scale. Comprehensive trade agreements need to be complemented by a range of domestic policies that enable companies to benefit from them. Establishing a conducive business environment to enhance the productivity of local firms is crucial to realising the anticipated advantages from deeper RTAs with all North Macedonia’s trading partners (Box 3.3) (World Bank, 2022[11]).
Expand Invest North Macedonia’s mandate to include the provision of financial assistance to companies seeking to export their goods and services. This expansion could involve offering various forms of financial support. For instance, Invest North Macedonia might provide grants, loans, or other financial instruments to help companies cover expenses related to market research, product adaptation, marketing strategies, and participation in international trade fairs. Additionally, financial assistance could be directed towards supporting companies in complying with international standards and certifications, enhancing their competitiveness in foreign markets.
Over the last decade, there has been a growing trend of moving beyond the WTO rules-based system in international trade with bilateral, multilateral, and regional free trade agreements gaining popularity. These modern trade agreements go beyond market access and include provisions that tackle diverse policy areas to address global challenges. Consequently, they offer a comprehensive framework for promoting sustainable development, fostering innovation, and enhancing international co-operation.
In 2023, the World Bank released a toolkit for policy makers to evaluate the potential impact of deep trade agreements (DTAs)1 and facilitate their implementation.
1. What aspects should be considered while considering deepening and expanding the scope of DTAs?
economic impact of trade and GDP stemming from deepening existing trade agreements
distinction whether it is more beneficial for the economy to deepen existing trade agreements or sign new ones
selection of potential partners for new trade agreements based on economic considerations.
2. How should existing DTAs be benchmarked?
Assess the depth of commitments in signed agreements.
Select the scope and policies to be prioritised to expand existing agreements.
Select the scope and policies to be prioritised for new negotiations.
Consider other comparable free trade agreements to learn from peer experience in expanding the network and scope.
3. How can the implementation of DTAs be improved?
Identify the economy-specific measures, tools and steps necessary for the effective implementation of DTAs. This includes enhancing capabilities and institutional mechanisms within the ministry responsible for implementation; improving cross-agency co-operation; and developing a trade strategy that would complement the goals of the DTAs.
1. Deep trade agreements (DTAs) encompass preferential trade agreements (PTAs) that extend beyond conventional tariff reductions, addressing a broad spectrum of policy domains such as services, investment, competition, intellectual property, labour, and the environment.
Source: World Bank (2023[12]).
References
[5] Customs Administration (2023), Green Customs Declaration, https://customs.gov.mk/en-GB/ns-newsarticle-kutirov-zapocna-primenata-na-zelenite-carinski-deklaracii-carineneto-zavrsuva-za-eden-cas.nspx.
[2] European Commission (2023), North Macedonia 2023 Report, https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/28a9322a-3f18-434e-89d2-0890c90b2f96_en?filename=SWD_2023_693%20North%20Macedonia%20report.pdf.
[4] GIZ (2022), Report on Non-Tariff Measures in CEFTA, https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2022-en-report-on-non-tariff-measures-in-cefta.pdf.
[8] MAKSTAT (2023), 2023 Statistical Yearbook, https://www.stat.gov.mk/publikacii/2023/SG2023-web.pdf.
[6] OECD (2022), OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators, https://www.oecd.org/regreform/facilitation/indicators.htm (accessed on 1 March 2024).
[7] OECD (2021), Digital Trade Inventory, https://doi.org/10.1787/9a9821e0-en.
[9] OECD (2018), Mapping of Investment Promotion Agencies in OECD Countries, https://www.oecd.org/investment/Mapping-of-Investment-Promotion-Agencies-in-OECD-Countries.pdf.
[12] World Bank (2023), Deep Trade Agreements: A Toolkit for Policymakers and Practicioners, https://datatopics.worldbank.org/dta/toolkit_09_11_2023.pdf.
[10] World Bank (2023), Systematic Country Diagnostic Update, https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/13fe13a0-674e-45c5-a933-6fb5e014aa1e.
[1] World Bank (2022), High-Technology Exports (% of manufactured exports) - North Macedonia, OECD Members, European Union, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TX.VAL.TECH.MF.ZS?locations=MK-OE-EU (accessed on 1 March 2024).
[11] World Bank (2022), The Trade Policy Strategy 2.0 for North Macedonia, https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099545009212257059/p17573400d36dc0f40a8b9089ffe772a7a5.
[3] WTO (2023), WTO Trade Profiles - North Macedonia, https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/daily_update_e/trade_profiles/MK_e.pdf.
← 1. Articles 34-36 of the TFEU constitute fundamental principles supporting the free movement of goods within the EU single market. They expressly forbid restrictions on imports and exports along with measures having equivalent effects, with specific allowances for public policy exemptions.
← 2. In particular, non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs), which refer to various measures and obstacles that hinder international trade without involving the imposition of tariffs. That can include quotas, licensing requirements, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures, intellectual property barriers, subsidies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and currency restrictions and sanctions.
← 3. The MKD Development Framework 2030 outlines the long-term priorities of the government, which include digitalisation, environmental protection and sustainability, accelerated economic growth and education, and inclusive development.
← 4. The portal became more user-friendly by introducing an advanced search bar, a clearer interface and interactive maps. The users can now subscribe to alerts and notifications about new regulation uploaded for comments on the portal. Moreover, the portal’s legislation database has been expanded and is available in the local language and in English.
← 5. In January 2021, the Partnership, Trade, and Cooperation Agreement between North Macedonia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland came into effect. The agreement addresses various topics, including trade in goods with provisions on preferential tariffs, tariff rate quotas, rules of origin, trade in services, intellectual property (including geographical indications) and government procurement.
← 6. Directive on Electronic Commerce 2000/31/EC, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32000L0031.
← 7. For more information, refer to: https://investnorthmacedonia.gov.mk.
← 8. The Chamber of Commerce, Union of Chambers of Commerce, Chamber of North West Macedonia, Textile Trade Association, Macedonian Association of Processors, Macedonian Association for Metal‑Electric Industry, Wines from Macedonia, Macedonian Association for Information Technology.