AmCham Macedonia Summer 2014 (Issue 42) | Page 27

PAST EVENTS Increasing Cooperation Between Local & Foreign Companies in Macedonia This June, AmCham gathered representatives from the locally- and foreign-owned businesses operating in the country, to help reduce perceived barriers between the two groups. In the lead up to the country’s recent parliamentary elections, plenty of media attention was given to the impact FDI is having on the local economy, with many claiming that foreign companies largely operate as islands, without significant engagement in the local economy. Toward debunking this myth, we invited procurement professionals from just three major foreign investors: Johnson Matthey, EVN Macedonia and Van Hool to tell potential local partners what they are already procuring locally as well as what they’d like to buy locally in the future. The session also included practical advice on how interested and qualified local suppliers Emerging Macedonia Summer 2014 Issue 42 should approach these companies and what they should expect in terms of procurement procedures. All presenters recognized the work of a number of local suppliers who successfully transformed their businesses to meet the internationally-accepted standards required by their procurement policies. They also cited examples where they had recommended local suppliers to other affiliates, resulting in significant new export business. However, they also mentioned that many interested local suppliers do not manage to complete the standards complian