The second PSI Regular and third PSI Plus tender is now open!
The deadline for submitting project proposals by entrepreneurs is 23 August 2010, 15:00 hrs CET.

 The Private Sector Investment programme (PSI) (divided in PSI Regular and PSI Plus) is a subsidy programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Development Cooperation that supports innovative investment projects in emerging markets and developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. The Private Sector Investment programme (PSI) is there to reduce financial risk. Under certain conditions, up to 50 percent of a companies' investment will be compensated. PSI thus allows companies  to seize opportunities that would otherwise have gone to waste. For more information:  www.agentschapnl.nl/psi.

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First Edition of the Newsletter Reporting on Cohesion and Synergy in Private Sector Development Instruments

Download the first edition of the newsletter reporting on cohesion and synergy in private sector development instruments, in developing countries. The newsletter will inform you every quarter about the various cooperation initiatives between Dutch partners in development.


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Open Call for Submission of Requests for Participation in the procedure for awarding a concession for carrying out activities of construction, reconstruction, maintenance, collection of tolls and management of part of the state roads in the Republic of Macedonia

The Ministry of Transport and Communications opened a call for submission of requests for participation in the procedure for awarding a concession for carrying out activities of construction, reconstruction, maintenance, collection of tolls and management of part of the state roads in the Republic of Macedonia - package 1 and package 2 (Pre-qualification Procedure). Details can be found on the website of the Ministry:  www.mtc.gov.mk


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Open bidding for an EU Twinning project with the title "EU support for the preparation of the country to manage the European Social Fund through implementation of the Human Resources Development component of IPA instrument (MA07/SO/01)". Deadline for submission of proposals is 19 January 2010. For more details please click  here.


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A JOINT VENTURE IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE: INVITATION FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The Government of the Republic of Macedonia (GOM) is interested in setting up one or several joint venture companies with reputable strategic partners for export of agricultural products from Macedonia to international markets.  Through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, the GOM invites foreign companies with experience in trading, selling and distributing agricultural products to become an equity partner in the joint-venture company. Download the advertisement:

•  English
•  Dutch (as published in De Telegraaf)

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The Ministry of Transport and Communications published an announcement for awarding of a public procurement agreement for new  single and double-decker buses. Download the document with more information

 here

.

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Macedonia has improved its rating, placing at the 84th spot out of 133 countries at the comparative list of most competitive economies in 2009-2010, announced Tuesday the World Economic Forum.

Due to weakening of the financial markets and macroeconomic stability, USA has given up the leading spot to Switzerland. Singapore is third, followed by Sweden and Denmark. The top ten also includes Finland, Germany, Japan, Canada and The Netherlands.

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Match Making Fund (MMF)

The Matchmaking Facility assists private businesses in emerging markets to establish links with Dutch companies with a view to the establishment of a lasting business relationship. The Match Making Fund stimulates business relations through which the private sector in developing countries will be strenghtened while it provides great opportunities for the Netherlands business sector. The closure date for the next round will be in October 15th. Download the intake forms:  EVD Instructions MMF (91KB) 

  

 EVD Intake Form MMF (229KB)

  

 EVD Embassy Screening Form (110KB)

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The Centre for Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is an agency of the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose main aim is to assist developing countries in strengthening their export capabilities towards the European Union and the Netherlands market in particular. To that end, CBI provides 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 (manufacturers / exporters), beginning to export their products to the European markets.

CBI is starting a new Export Coaching Programme (ECP) this year in Macedonia, which could be interesting for SME's in the Pipe & Process Equipment  Sector.

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The Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Macedonia published an announcement for sale of construction land in ownership of the Republic of Macedonia through electronic bidding procedure. The land is foreseen for construction of a hotel complex. Download the public announcement

 here

.

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Triple Jump Fund Management announced in May 2008 the investment of 1 million euro in Mozhnosti, a local microfinance institution. Triple Jump is an Amsterdam-based company founded in 2006 that specializes in the management of investment funds for microfinance.   The investment was a three-year euro-denominated loan that will enable Mozhnosti to finance an expansion of its microloan portfolio.   The investment was made from the ASN-Novib Fund for Microfinance, a Netherlands-based mutual fund established in 1999 as a joint venture between ASN Bank (a socially-responsible commercial bank) and Oxfam Novib (the Dutch affiliate of the development organization Oxfam International). The first-ever microfinance institution in Macedonia, Mozhnosti was established in 1996 by Opportunity International with support from the United States Agency for International Development.   Mozhnosti has a branch network covering the entire country.  One-third of its portfolio is invested in rural areas, and approximately one-quarter has been lent to Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian minority.  

More information about Triple Jump can be found at www.triplejump.eu

More nformation about ASN Novib Fonds can be found at

 www.asnbank.nl

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Notice on On-line Public Bidding for Sale of Construction Land in Ownership of the Republic of Macedonia

The Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Repubilc of Macedonia informs the interested companies dealing with construction of real estate that there are two public notices underway on sale of construction land in ownership of the Republic of Macedonia, by on-line public bidding. Download the information issued by the Ministry here.

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Trade missions (CPA) 

On a regular basis, trade missions to Macedonia are organised by branche-organisations or others in the Netherlands. The Embassy will meet with these missions and may offer advice concerning the set-up of the trade mission. Some of these missions are (partially) financed by the Dutch government through the programme “Collectieve Promotionele Activiteiten”(CPA). In that case, they will also be announced on the website of the EVD ( www.evd.nl). If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the CPA-programme click  here.

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 2g@there

 2g@there programme has been designed for groups of Dutch companies that want to jointly enter a specific market, but need the Dutch government support in order to be successful. For Romania, proposals can be submitted in the following sectors: hightech systems, water, food & flowers, life sciences & health, chemicals, energy, infrastructure and creative industries. More information and examples are available at  www.evd.nl/2getthere.

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Business plan competition for agricultural cooperatives and farmers associations

Agriterra is a Dutch umbrella organisation for international cooperation that was founded in 1997 by civil society organisations in rural areas and the agricultural private sector including the Dutch rural women’s organisation, the National Cooperative Council for Agriculture and Horticulture, and the Dutch Agricultural Youth Organisation. Agriterra aims to stimulate, support and finance international cooperation between rural people’s organisations in the Netherlands and those in developing countries. Agriterra together with Business in Development (BiD) Network Foundation organises a business plan competition for agricultural cooperatives and farmer associations. Read more...

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The Second Call for Proposals of the ORIO Facility Opened on Monday 3 August 2009 at 12h00 CET

The second call for proposals of the ORIO facility opened on Monday 3 August 2009 at 12h00 CET. The call will close on Monday 16 November 2009 at 17h00 CET. ORIO focuses on a limited number of priority sectors per country. Macedonia is one of the countries that can make use of ORIO. The priority sectors for ORIO in Macedonia that were selected in a consultation with the national authorities are: (i) water; (ii) environment and (iii) social services including health and education. Read more...

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PSI Grant for Small and Medium Sized Companies

Dutch Agency for international business and cooperation EVD launches second PSI tender 2009 for Dutch entrepreneurs creating new joint ventures with companies in Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Moldova. New knowledge transfer to a country is a must. PSI has two granting procedures per year. The closing date for the second PSI Tender 2009 is on 24 August 2009, at 17.00 PM. The EVD must have received the original proposal by then. PSI subsidies are available for Dutch and foreign companies entering into long-term cooperation with local partners in developing countries. Read more...

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New Website launched by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs 

A new Dutch website has been launched by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands and private sector organisations to promote doing business abroad by Dutch companies. Visit  www.internationaalondernemen.nl/dtb/campagne.asp for more information or write an e-mail to internationaalondernemen@info.evd.nl