North Macedonia proposes regional network to boost women's entrepreneurship in Western Balkans
The Minister of Economy and Labour of North Macedonia, Besar Durmishi, participated in the “SHE RISES REGIONAL 2026” regional conference in Pristina, Republic of Kosovo.
During a panel dedicated to advancing women’s entrepreneurship through regional economic cooperation and European integration, he presented the Government’s measures aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs, enhancing competitiveness, and creating new opportunities for regional economic connectivity.
In his address, Minister Durmishi emphasized that the economic empowerment of women is an important prerequisite for sustainable economic growth, higher productivity, and better utilization of the region's economic potential, CE Report informs via the Ministry of Economy and Labour of North Macedonia's official website.
"Women's entrepreneurship is not merely a matter of equal opportunities, but a key driver of economic growth, investment, and competitiveness. Our task is to create conditions for women not only to start businesses, but to develop successful companies, invest, export, and create new jobs," emphasized Durmishi.
The Minister announced that for 2026, MKD11.34 million have been allocated through the Program for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and artisans. This includes co-financing of up to 40 percent of the costs for the procurement of new machinery and tools, amounting to a maximum of MKD200.000 per beneficiary.
Additionally, MKD2 million have been allocated for the introduction of international standards in the processing industry—covering up to 70 percent of the costs—along with MKD5 million for joint projects between companies and universities, aimed at fostering innovation and technological development.
Durmishi pointed out that the 2026 Operational Employment Plan, for which MKD2.39 billion have been allocated, supports self-employment, entrepreneurship, and the acquisition of new skills, with a priority given to women.
At the conference, special emphasis was placed on opportunities for integrating women-owned and women-managed companies into the supply chains of large international corporations and foreign investors.
The Minister emphasized that North Macedonia possesses a significant industrial base and a presence of international investors, but that the next step must be a stronger integration of domestic enterprises into global production and export chains.
In this regard, he pointed to measures for technological modernization, certification, and the development of domestic suppliers, as well as the National Strategy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 2025–2030, which envisages better access to finance, a digital and green transition, and the advancement of women's entrepreneurship.
As a concrete proposal for deepening regional economic cooperation, Durmishi announced his readiness to initiate discussions with counterparts from the region regarding the establishment of a joint initiative for the economic networking of women entrepreneurs.
He proposed exploring the possibility, during 2027, of a pilot program that would encompass a regional network of women-led companies, providing support for their competitiveness through digitalization, certification, and mentorship, as well as direct business meetings with large manufacturing companies and foreign investors.
According to the Minister, this initiative could build upon the Western Balkans Common Regional Market and the European Union’s Growth Plan, thereby providing women entrepreneurs with greater opportunities to access investments and European markets.
"It is time to transform regional cooperation from an exchange of ideas into concrete economic results. Women's entrepreneurship should not merely be a separate topic at economic conferences, but an integral part of the industrial, investment, and development policies of each of our countries," stated Durmishi.
High-level representatives of institutions from Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro, as well as representatives of the business community, participated in the regional conference, with a shared focus on the economic empowerment of women and regional integration.
Photo Ministry of Economy and Labour of North Macedonia
