AmCham Macedonia Summer 2014 (Issue 42) | Page 28

PAST EVENTS briefly introduced attendees with the special customs procedures applied there. Audience members agreed that these procedures are not well known nor understood among local business people and may be discouraging the very cooperation that all sides want to see. It also became clear during Q&A that many foreign companies do not currently cooperate with local financial institutions, consulting houses or law firms, since contracts for these type of services are concluded on a global level. However, presenters emphasized that they are open for future cooperation and invited all interested companies to submit proposals. Event participants gave the event a high rating and pointed out that practical, business-centered gatherings of this type are crucial for increasing the engagement of local companies in the supply chain of international companies working here. NEW MEMBERS GAEA Green Alternative Energy in Macedonia mainly provides consulting, operational and environmental services including the removal of post-use consumer and commercial/industrial waste for use as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and raw materials, primarily from TITAN’s Cementarnica Usje cement kilns. The use of these materials provides “win-win” scenarios that reduce costs, conserve fossil fuels, provide an environmentally-friendly means of handling consumer and industrial waste and reduce the carbon footprint of energy consumers as well as provide local societies with waste management services that are safe, tested and sustainable. 28 Emerging Macedonia Summer 2014 Issue 42