The President of the Economic Chamber, Branko Azeski, in a new interview with the portal Faktor, speaks about the intensive dialogue with Prime Minister Mickoski and the challenges in the economy. Below is the full interview.

Faktor: Slowly but surely, it’s approaching one year since the formation of the Government (elected on 23 June 2024). President Azeski, everywhere in the world the dialogue between the private and public sectors is emphasized as a necessary condition for shaping economic policy. However, it appears that your personal dialogue with Prime Minister Mickoski is particularly intensive.

Azeski: Yes, I have a proper and respectful dialogue with Prime Minister Mickoski, in line with the responsibilities of our respective functions. This relationship dates back to 2015, from the time when Prime Minister Mickoski was the General Director of ELEM (now ESM) and a member of our bodies and institutions. It continued during his leadership of the opposition and is now clearly positioned as a partnership in the interest of business and the state. I can say that I am satisfied with that relationship.

Faktor: But the public is also aware of your strong positions on the functioning of the rule of law, the fight against the grey economy and corruption, investment in infrastructure, and workforce development to meet business needs. Do you discuss these topics with Prime Minister Mickoski?

Azeski: There is no topic we haven’t discussed if it’s in the interest of business and the state. Our positions, expressed as early as 2023, are that everyone should unite—companies, universities, the academic community, and political parties—for the benefit of our mission, which is a higher standard for citizens and greater profits for companies.

Faktor: Many people think that the solution lies in changing the mindset and awareness of the people.

Azeski: Our environment is one where everyone thinks they know everything. Especially when it comes to doing business, there are many “know-it-alls” who try to teach businesspeople what they should do. That needs to change.

The state must rest on values, not absurdities. Isn’t it absurd that it has taken 14 years to legally define a holding company, that we are importing labor from Nepal and Bangladesh, while exporting skilled workers to the European Union? Just as it is absurd that 50 years ago we had medical tourism with surgeries performed in our region by Nobel laureates and academics from around the world, while today we have a collapsed healthcare system.

Self-confidence, implementation, and accountability are the three magic words for success. If you have self-confidence and know how to implement, then you will also be accountable. Anyone who cannot fulfill what is established by law must bear responsibility.

Faktor: Are there solutions? What do you try to convince Prime Minister Mickoski of? What do you propose?

Azeski: Prime Minister Mickoski was elected in legitimate elections and works according to a government program adopted by the Assembly. Therefore, I have nothing to propose—I am focused on implementing what is good for business. Implementation is the Achilles’ heel of our functioning. Otherwise, I believe the Government’s program contains everything necessary for the country’s progress, and the implementation of that program is subject to public scrutiny by all, including the Chamber. We cannot allow those who are not ready to help in this situation to philosophize every day.