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MACEDONIA, 5 MAY 2004
Details and Press Materials
The UNRC/UNDP Office in Skopje and the Ministry of Economy hosted the launch of the report in Macedonia on May 5, 2004. The event had 150 participants - the biggest gathering of the private sector in any UN-sponsored event in Macedonia. Mr. Frode Mauring, UN Resident Coordinator, noted that the barriers to private sector development in Macedonia include high barriers for entrance to markets, unequal competition caused by large companies and difficulties in the access to finance. Stevco Jakimovski, Minister of Economy, recalled that the new trade law and the law on enterprises provide a legal frame for curbing the gray economy through legalizing the small businesses of market and street vendors. Jakimovski further explained that the gray economy comprises some 43.2 percent of the Macedonian economy (45.1 per cent according to other analysis), almost equal to 'formal' business' GDP contribution to the Macedonian economy. Minister Jakimovski further promised tax relief and greater support for the banking sector in the investment sphere.
Press
The extensive media coverage of the Macedonian launch included six television stations, at least four daily papers, and Albanian and Macedonian language radio. Several of the stories focused on the size of Macedonia's "grey" economy.
Macedonian television press on the Report launch includes:
Print press includes:
06 May 2004 InfoMac
"Half GDP is Gray"
06 May 2004 Nova Macedonia
"Sivata ekonomija da se stavi vo formalnite tekovi
(The Gray Economy Should be Put in the Formal Flows)"
06 May 2004 Utrisnki Vesrik
"Sirmoastijata ke se namali so razvoj na privatniot biznis
(Poverty will be reduced with Private Business Development)"
06 May 2004 Vecer
"Polovina od bruto - domasniot proizvod e siv
(Half of the Gross Domestic Product is Grey)"
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