Private Sector DevelopmentAs of 2004, the Netherlands has focused on private sector development as a new policy priority. Previously, the Netherlands was already active in this field through its support of the 
Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation (MEDF), a local NGO offering an integrated package of financial and non-financial services to private businesses and micro enterprises. Furthermore, the Netherlands has supported the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) to take part in the Macedonian ProCredit Bank. The ProCredit Bank’s main aim is to provide micro-credits and other banking services through its expanding branch network.
Strategic objective in this sector is poverty reduction by stimulating - in partnership with the Macedonian Government and other stakeholders - entrepreneurship and employment in Macedonia's productive and service sectors. In order to achieve this, emphasis is given to the enabling environment for private sector development, and not so much to direct support to companies or businesses. Three specific themes will guide in identifying priorities and activities, i.e. (i) good economic governance, (ii) functioning of product, services, capital and labor markets and (iii) strengthening of entrepreneurial skills.
Title | Description of activity | Project period |
Support of the Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation | Implementation of MEDFs programme for financial (micro-credits) and non financial services (capacity building / training for entrepreneurship) | 1999 - 2005 |
Support of the ProCredit Bank | Providing access to micro-credits for micro / small enterprises in order to stimulate entrepreneurship & providing best practices to the banking sector | 2003 - 2005 |
Pilot Cadastre Project | Establishment of a modern “show case” pilot Cadastre office in Kumanovo with streamlined procedures and trained staff to implement modern technology at work. The office will be replicated under the nation-wide Real Estate Cadastre and Land Registration Project to be supported by the World Bank | 2004 - 2006 |
FIAS Administrative Barriers Implementation Assistance | Assisting GoM in removing administrative barriers to investment and establishing a business environment monitoring mechanism in order to identify future reforms for improving the business enabling environment | 2004 - 2005 |
REPARIS – Program on Accounting and Auditing Reforms and Institutional Strengthening | Assisting the GoM in aligning its legal (statutory) and institutional framework for corporate financial reporting with the relevant portions of the EU acquis communautaire, IFRS, ISA and good international practices (World Bank Project) | 2007 - 2009 |
Contact persons:
Mrs. Slobodanka Matakova - Lakinska, Advisor Economic Affairs. e-mail: sl.lakinska@minbuza.nl
Internet links
Ministry of Economy of Macedonia
SEED
REPARIS
World Bank publications on Private Sector Development in Macedonia:
Administrative Procedures for doing Business in Macedonia (FIAS)
brief overview FIAS projects in Europe en central Asia
Publications of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Private Sector Development:
"Ondernemen tegen Armoede" / "In Business against Poverty": http://www.minbuza.nl/default.asp?CMS_ITEM=MBZ427139 (Dutch summary with pdf document) http://www.minbuza.nl/default.asp?CMS_ITEM=4C61BF16924C4D658AB165C98A7E41CBX1X46723X73 (English summary with pdf document)
