The region is Macedonia's significant trading partner, taking part with 17.7 percent in the country's 2011 total exchange. We can fight off the eurozone crisis only through joint cooperation, stressed Economy Minister Valon Saraqini in his address at Wednesday's first international business forum titled "Kosovo, Golden Land for Investments".

Saraqini urged for investments in Macedonia and use of benefits offered by the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), since investments would meet the needs of a 28-million market.

"The intention of Macedonian trade policy, but also regional countries, is to create a horizontal framework that needs to link benefits of the business climate, attraction of investments and increase of innovations in know-how. This will have an effect on the establishment of a new structure of exports and imports, permanent economic growth and improvement of living standard", stressed Minister Saraqini.

He added that industrial green zones would be built in Macedonia, along with new technological-development zones, in order to give investors the basis for investments and favorable business climate, including the joint venture principle.

Saraqini said Kosovo is a significant partner for Macedonia, taking 8. spot in trade exchange, which annually ranges between US$ 330 million to US$ 577 million.

Following the 2007 CEFTA signing, Republic of Macedonia has applied the non-customs treatment with B&H, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, and recently with Albania and Moldova. The agreement provides a solid framework for regulation of long-term and stable trade relations, accompanied by the establishment of free trading zones in the industrial and agriculture sectors.

The Pristina forum is divided in two parts. The first aims at presenting Kosovo investment potentials, whereas the second to present the importance of successful business promotion of municipalities.

Minister Saraqini is accompanied by Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia president Menderes Kuqi, and Macedonian-Israeli Business Club chairman Dejan Dejanov.

The business forum brings together ministers from Kosovo, Albania, representatives of chambers of commerce from Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, B&H and Israel, as well as mayors of larger regional cities.