British Business Association in North Macedonia

Calling all women with background or interest in cybersecurity! The British Council is accepting applications for cybersecurity certifications for women. Successful applicants will obtain a cybersecurity certification accredited by the UK National Cyber Security Council. Designed to suit all backgrounds and interests, the programme covers key topics such as network security, ethical hacking, threat detection and incident response, penetration testing, information security, and more.  Details at the link below. https://lnkd.in/duz6iq_a

Finance Think have published the roadmap for advancing women's participation in the labour market. The roadmap was developed with input and feedback from our members during a consultative session held on February 28, and from a pilot project with our member Comfy Angel. The Roadmap contains policy recommendations and guidance on how to increase women's participation in the labour market. The policy recommendations will be shared with relevant Government agencies. The publication and accompanying activities are supported by the British Embassy Skopje. The report is available at this link http://bit.ly/3XXOg58

Two members of the BBA Council, Irena Jakimovska (Comfy Angel) and Borijan Borozanov (Johnson Matthey), participated in the economic forum on women's labour activation organized by Finance Think. They shared the floor with Minister of Education Vesna Janevska and Deputy Minister of Economy Marjan Risteski, and International Labour Organization representative, Maria Jose Camoro. FinanceThink then presented the findings and policy recommendations outlined in the final report that was produced with the input and feedback of BBA members. The project is supported by the British Embassy Skopje.

Our founding member Sasa has created an early warning system for natural disasters in Makedonska Kamenica, making it the first municipality in the country with such a system. This investment in the safety of their community will also become part of the national warning system.

Today our members met to discuss practices and policies for increasing productivity and the workforce activation of women, who are a crucial part of the labour force and economy. The event was organised in cooperation with Finance Think and supported by the British Embassy Skopje. The two-hour discussion centered around ways to create a legal and cultural environment where women can thrive in the workplace. Some of the topics discussed were opportunities for continued education and training, mentorship for women, availability of childcare options, and flexible work hours. Our members' feedback will be incorporated into a policy proposal that will be shared with lawmakers.

We are thrilled to welcome Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers as members of the chamber. Karanovic & Partners, a leading full-service law firm in Southeast Europe, has been cooperating with local lawyers in North Macedonia since 2009, providing legal support to domestic and international clients in both existing operations in the country and assisting investors in entering this market. Veton Qoku, a dual-qualified lawyer, leads the local practice in North Macedonia. He is qualified as an attorney at law (адвокат) in North Macedonia and as a solicitor in England and Wales. The growing team offers an impressive array of services, covering everything from general business law in North Macedonia related to clients’ everyday operations to large-scale project financing, strategic investment projects, energy and natural resources, with a particular focus on renewables, PPP / concessions, banking and finance, corporate, commercial, real estate, IT and telecom matters. They have a long-standing excellent relationship with Magic Circle law firms and have provided service to many of their clients and British firms looking to do business in North Macedonia.

We are thrilled to welcome Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers as members of the chamber. Karanovic & Partners, a leading full-service law firm in Southeast Europe, has been cooperating with local lawyers in North Macedonia since 2009, providing legal support to domestic and international clients in both existing operations in the country and assisting investors in entering this market. Veton Qoku, a dual-qualified lawyer, leads the local practice in North Macedonia. He is qualified as an attorney at law (адвокат) in North Macedonia and as a solicitor in England and Wales. The growing team offers an impressive array of services, covering everything from general business law in North Macedonia related to clients’ everyday operations to large-scale project financing, strategic investment projects, energy and natural resources, with a particular focus on renewables, PPP / concessions, banking and finance, corporate, commercial, real estate, IT and telecom matters. They have a long-standing excellent relationship with Magic Circle law firms and have provided service to many of their clients and British firms looking to do business in North Macedonia.

Today our members met with His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Europe, Chris Barton CMG, as part of his visit to Skopje. The members spoke about the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the country, as well as the potential for growth and increasing the trade exchange between MK and the UK. We are grateful to the British Embassy Skopje and Ambassador Matthew Lawson for arranging the meeting.

Thank you to Central Asia Metals PLC and Sasa, one of our founding members, for their support and contribution in this and our other endeavors.