Durmishi from Baku: “Don’t see North Macedonia as a small market, but as a gateway to 650 million consumers”

The Minister of Economy and Labour, Besar Durmishi, took part in the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum – AIIF 2026, held in Baku, where he presented North Macedonia’s economic potential and investment opportunities to international investors.

In the panel “Rebuilding Trust in a Fragmented World: Azerbaijan as a Strategic Gateway Between Regions,” Durmishi stressed that in times of global uncertainty, states must continue investing in infrastructure, energy, digitalization, human capital and production capacities.

He presented the country’s competitive advantages: its strategic geographic position on Corridors 8 and 10, industrial zones, a developed automotive sector, as well as access to a market of over 650 million consumers through trade agreements.

“Don’t see North Macedonia only as a small domestic market. See it as a production, export and regional platform,” the minister said before investors from Europe and Asia.

According to him, the Government’s priority remains attracting high value-added investments, which bring new technologies, better-paid jobs and connect domestic business with global value chains, Biznis Vesti reports.