Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has called on the Qatari government and investors to invest in his country in all fields, specifically in the energy sector, as his country plans to sell 49% of government-operated power generator company ELEM.
Macedonia looks forward to locate a partner to increase productive energy for power producing stations at ELEM through funding investment projects to support such production, Gruevski said in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) during his visit to Doha last week.
The Macedonian premier praised the strength and durability of Qatar’s economy. “It is a very strong and growing economy,” he said indicating that it sets the example in allocating natural resources for the benefit of its citizens.
He expressed his country’s hopes to bolster commercial and economic co-operation with Qatar in all sectors, especially in agriculture, tourism, energy, real estate, and hydraulics.
Gruevski referred to the substantial bilateral political and economic relations which were strengthened by mutual visits of rulers and senior officials in the two countries.
He hailed the ongoing co-operation between Qatar and Macedonia, which was crowned with the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding during HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s visit to Macedonia in October last year.
A cultural partnership agreement was signed during the Emir’s visit as well as an agreement concerning the regulation of Macedonian human capital in Qatar.
This is in addition to a pact concerning boosting and protecting mutual investment and a memorandum pertaining to the educational field.
Furthermore, the two countries signed an agreement on flight services and developing a joint business council between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI) and the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce (MCC). Additionally, the Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) and QNA have signed a news exchange and partnership agreement.
The Macedonian premier has indicated that his visit to Doha came within the context of increasing co-operation between the two countries in a myriad of fields in the future and with the aim of exploring the establishment of commercial partnerships between Qatar and Macedonia.
He praised willingness of Qatari firms to invest in European countries, which he directly witnessed as he met with a number of businessmen in Qatar and officials from many national companies.
During his meetings, he looked into the possibility of Qatari investors exploring reserves in Macedonia, as he expressed hopes that Qatar would invest in oil and gas projects in his country as part of plans to develop necessary infrastructure for gas projects highlighting Qatar’s experience and in the industry.
He indicated that among available investment opportunities in Macedonia is the water energy as his country plans on building twelve hydro plants under the “Fata Feli” project, calling on the Qatari side to invest in this sector and in free economic zones.
Gruevski announced that there were negotiations on the possible recruitment of Macedonian human capital to Qatar, a percentage of which could work in the medical field.
Meanwhile the Macedonian premier indicated that he discussed during his meetings with a number of Qatari government officials the route for the political process in the Middle East and reinforcing political relations between Qatar and Macedonia.
This is in addition to reiterating the countries’ mutual commitment towards supporting initiatives at international forums including the UN and related institutions.
