The main task of the Economic and Trade Section (E&TS) of the embassy is to provide assistance to Netherlands and Macedonian companies that wish to establish contacts with counterparts in both countries. This assistance is not only restricted to the field of bilateral imports and exports, but also covers information on investment opportunities. In both areas - i.e. trade & investment - the Embassy aims to fulfil a match-making role. Entrepreneurs contacting the E&TS should be mindful, however, of the fact that it only provides such information and services that cannot be considered as an intrinsic part of the work of the company itself or of the agent. For example: the E&TS will suggest names of possible agents, import-export & investment partners, etc. but will not go into the selection process, for which ultimately the applicant will bear her / his own responsibility. Furthermore, the E&TS can also provide general market information, but will refer to other parties for detailed market research.
The E&TS provides the following specific services to individual companies:
- General information about the business climate in Macedonia / The Netherlands
- Information about the regulatory / legal framework for doing business in Macedonia / The Netherlands (import/export procedures incl. phytosanitary regulations, investment legislation, etc.). If such information is not available "in house" at the Embassy, the Trade section will refer to the relevant governmental agencies in Macedonia / Netherlands
- Information about trade fairs
- Names of potential business counterparts (import/export/investment) agents, etc.
- Advice on how to handle certain business related problems.
General internet links:
EVD: Netherlands Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and executing agency for the PSOM Programme (e-mail): 
macedonie@info.evd.nl); - Developing your Business website has a database that can help companies to do business in emerging markets. The database provides information on export support, investment facilities, research, networking, training and websites. It covers both financial and non-financial tools
- CBIN: Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (promotion of investment in The Netherlands)
Financial instruments open to Macedonia
PSOM
Starting from July 1, 2005 the Programme for Co-operation with Emerging Markets (PSOM) has become operational in Macedonia and will replace the former PSO programme. The objective of the PSOM Programme is to support sustainable economic development and employment creation in emerging markets through encouraging long-lasting trade and investment relationships between Dutch companies and local companies. PSOM projects are selected on the basis of an open tender procedure which is announced twice a year. Main conditions and characteristics of the PSOM Programme - some of them differing from the previous PSO-programme - are:
- The PSOM Programme finances 50% of the project costs, while the other 50% of the project costs have to be paid for by the partner companies from the Netherlands and the PSOM country.
- The hardware/equipment imported within the PSOM projects is subject to import duties and taxes which are in place in the recipient PSOM country.
- Dutch companies are allowed to have a majority of share in the joint beneficiary company established with the local partner from the PSOM country.
- Two proposals are selected per country on the basis of quality and do not compete with proposals from other countries. Budget allowing, subsequent proposals will compete with proposals from other countries eligible for PSOM support.
- The average PSOM contribution per project is EUR 0.5 million, while the maximum amount is EUR 1.5 million.
The executing agency in the Netherlands is EVD, on the Macedonian side the Secretariate for European Affairs (SEA) is the leading agency. Important: inquiries about the PSOM Programme must be directed to EVD and/or SEI, not to the Netherlands Embassy in Skopje.
General internet links:
- EVD: Netherlands Foreign Trade Promotion Agency and executing agency for the PSOM Programme
- CBIN: Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (promotion of investment in The Netherlands)
The Overview of PSOM Projects in Macedonia 1998 - 2007
http://www.evd.nl/business/zoeken/showbouwsteen.asp?bstnum=121174&location=&highlight=overview%20psom%20projects%20in%20macedonia
PESP
PESP is a programme that strengthens bilateral economic relations with non-OECD countries (incl. Macedonia) with the aim of increasing the likelihood of Dutch companies obtaining orders in those countries. Dutch companies and their Macedonian counterparts can submit proposals for activities leading up to export transactions. The activities may be feasibility studies, project identification, and investment preparation studies. These activities must result in early familiarisation of the foreign party with the offers of Dutch companies, and an increased probability of the Netherlands business community acquiring orders in the project implementation phase. PESP is for projects and not for market research or acquisition activities of individual companies. Important: inquiries about PESP must be directed to SENTER, the executing agency in The Netherlands, not to the Embassy.
ORET (Development-Related Expoprt Transaction)
The programme will be discontinued. Further information can be found at www.oret.nl.
Mr. Pance Kralev, Economy and Trade Officer e-mail: pance.kralev@minbuza.nl
Netherlands Management Co-operation Programme (PUM)
The Netherlands Management Co-operation Programme offers senior NMCP advisers (most of them retired or early retired persons) to companies and institutions that can transfer knowledge and experience from their own specialist fields. The expenses for this advice is extremely low, compared to commercial consultancy firms.
NMCP is an organisation of senior managers and experts, funded by the Ministry for Development Co-operation and managed by the Netherlands employers federation.
- Local representatives in Skopje: Mrs. Beti Dejanova 02 312 50 71, betij@sonet.com.mk and Mr. Bob Smit 3082 919 smit@nloffice.com.mk;
- NMCP in the Netherlands: Address: Bezuidenhoutseweg 12, The Hague, The Netherlands, tel. +31 (0) 70 - 3490 555, e-mail: INFO@NMCP.NL
CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries)
CBI is an agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and part of the Directorate General for International Development Co-operation (DGIS). The main aim of CBI is to assist developing countries in strengthening their export capabilities towards the European Union and the Netherlands market in particular. To that end, CBI offers technical and financial assistance at different levels, adapted to the institutional and market circumstances in each developing country. CBI’s main target groups are companies up to 500 employees in developing countries, beginning to export their products in EU countries. In order to be able to achieve the main aim and reach as many enterprises as possible, CBI also provides assistance in the filed of capacity building to Business Support Organisations (BSO) of developing countries. CBI provides marketing services in the manner best designed to benefit the producers, the distributors and the customers. CBI does not conduct marketing itself for the companies and BSOs but provides the required assistance to improve their ability to produce for and export to West European markets. CBI’s marketing activities are delivered within three clusters of core activities: (i) Regular CBI Programmes; (ii) Integrated Export Promotion Programmes and (iii) BSO Developing Programmes.
In 2005, CBI extended its activities to Macedonia and has initiated an Export Development Programme for the textile industry focusing on the garment industry i.e. outwear for men, ladies and children. The objective of the textile export development programme is to help selected Macedonian textile companies to increase their competitiveness on the EU markets and the Netherlands market in particular. The export development programme on garments in Macedonia is envisioned to last for 6 years during the period 2005 until 2010. Approx. 15-20 textile companies will be targeted to participate in the CBI’s export development programme.
Important: queries about CBI activities and programmes must be directed to CBI in the The Netherlands, not to the Embassy.
Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility
Working with a Dutch business partner
Serious companies in developing countries are often on the lookout for reliable business partners abroad. The Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility puts those companies in touch with Dutch businesses operating in the same sector.
What is the Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility?
Serious companies in developing countries are often on the lookout for reliable business partners abroad. The Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility puts those companies in touch with Dutch businesses. The goal is to stimulate joint investment in your country.
What are the target countries?
The Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility is available to companies in your country and in more than 40 other countries in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
How does it work?
You must submit a proposal for cooperation with a Dutch company to the Dutch Embassy in your country. You must use a special form to do so.
The Embassy will consult with its local network to assess your proposal. Only proposals that receive a positive assessment will be sent on to EVD. Furthermore, proposals must be clearly formulated and well substantiated before being taken into consideration.
EVD, a Dutch government agency that provides support to businesses working in the international arena, will start identifying Dutch businesses that match your company’s profile.
- Cooperation initiation, hiring a consultant
If a suitable match is found, you will receive a voucher worth EUR 5,000. You can use the voucher to hire a Dutch consultant who will help you explore and define the cooperative effort between you and your Dutch business partner. The consultant’s duties include arranging a visit for your company to the Netherlands and developing a joint action plan. All travel and accommodation expenses related to your company’s visit are your responsibility.
A half year after the visit, the consultant will conduct an evaluation to determine if the activities have resulted in a basis for further cooperation.
What is EVD?
EVD runs the Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility on behalf of the Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation.
Interested?
Would you like to be put in touch with a company in the Netherlands to mutually set up and run a solid project? Would you like more information about the Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility?
Intake form
Please contact us at: pance.kralev@minbuza.nl
