The Skopje Government wants to improve the Country’s infrastructure and to invest in energy and the environment. To seize this opportunity, 15 Italian companies active in these sectors (including Ferrovie dello Stato) met with local companies and trade associations in Skopje in a meeting organised by the Italian Embassy and the ICE Agency that also involved the ANCE (National Builders Association), the OICE (Italian Association of Engineering, Architecture and Technical Consulting) and the ANIE (National Federation of the Electricity and Electronics Industry).
The Italian Ambassador to Macedonia, Carlo Romeo, said that Italy confirms its support to developing the infrastructure of this region of Europe and intends to “contribute to accelerating the EU accession process of the Western Balkan Countries. The Region’s countries, including Macedonia, which occupies a central position therein, have always been a priority in Italian foreign policy, which aims to their progressive integration in the EU, offering them an economic development opportunity and a framework of political and social stability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.” The Ambassador continued: “Therefore, we want to contribute to establishing cooperation relations and synergies between Italian and Macedonian companies, including possible joint ventures, especially in the sector of infrastructure, energy and the environment, that might help strengthen the economic and commercial relationship between Italy and Macedonia and improve the level of Italian investments in the Country.”
The Prime Minister of Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, responded: “The Government will use all the available resources to tap Macedonia’s natural potential, with a view to connecting the Country through road, railroad and energy infrastructures with other Balkan Countries and with Europe, with a special focus on the environment. It is particularly important to assure access to energy to all the citizens through a gas transmission and distribution construction plan.” The Prime Minister also recalled that a road construction plan providing for the building of a 800 km network of roads throughout the national territory has already kicked off. The plan has been allocated 270 million euros, while 529 million euros will be allocated to the railway system, in view of which Prime Minister Zaev invited all the Italian companies to participate in the public tenders.
