Update to the contribution to the progress report on the process of accession of the republic of macedonia to the european union

3.20ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY

3.20.1 PRINCIPLES OF ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY

The Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) has already exchanged facts and opinions about state of play in the area of competitiveness and enhancement of Macedonian industry. All existing strategic documents, development programs and activities have been taken into consideration and new approach has been suggested for competitiveness enhancement.

Within its operating the IMWG has defined the main characteristics of existing competitiveness enhancement programs and defined the Vision and Strategic Objectives of Industrial Policy of Macedonia 2009 – 2020 that should be finalised by the end of 2008.
An IMWG workshop was held on the topic “Innovation for Enhancement of Competitiveness”. The workshop “Industrial Policy of RM Dialogue with Financial Institutions” was held as an awareness raising event and dialogue with the financial sector.
Consultants for measuring indicators for competitiveness and establishing a system for further implementation have started their activities
On September 17th the seventh Inter-ministerial Working Group working session took place. Members of the IMWG reached consensus and approved the Action Plan for Industrial policy implementation. Consultants for measuring indicators for competitiveness and establishing a system for further implementation have started their activities. Industrial Policy Unit staff actively participated on co-ordination meetings with the consulting group for competitiveness indicators and provided input for the questionnaire for the survey which will be implemented on a sample of 400 enterprises and is expected to provide valuable input for industrial policy development and implementation.
Directive 2000/35/E3 for combating late payment in commercial transactions has been partially transposed in the newly enacted changes in the Law on obligations (Official Gazette 84/08, 11.07.2008).

3.20.2 INSTRUMENTS OF ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY

SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

Several one day training sessions with the staff of the regional centres, Business Support Organisations, Incubator YES and Local Economic Development offices in different regions were organised.

Meeting of the local –mini fora was organised in Bitola.

Seminar for the representatives from several Universities and Faculties from the country was organised at the Mechanical Faculty. The seminar looked at ways in which university knowledge can be transferred to a business environment in a sustainable manner, how universities can involve themselves with the business community and how business can assist universities in training young people.

Agency for Promotion of Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Macedonia (APPRM) continued with its activities for supporting the Programs for self-employment through credit and Governmental Program for self-employment-2.
Draft version of the National Self - Assessment Report Regarding the European Charter for Small Enterprises - Republic of Macedonia 2008, is prepared.
Coordinative meeting for development and promotion of the entrepreneurship was held with Communities and local organisations for supporting of SMEs from the Polog region (Tetovo).
The 1^st National Networking Summit for introducing of international and local good practices in networking among private enterprises, Government institutions and the education sector, to Macedonian enterprise managers, was organised.

PROMOTION OF INVESTMENTS

The Coordination body for promotion of corporate and social responsibility in companies adopted National Agenda for corporate and social responsibility of RM for the period of 2008-2012.

3.21TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORKS

21.1 Trans-European Transport Networks

Upon the authorisation given by the Council of the European Union to the Commission to negotiate a Treaty establishing Transport Community with Western Balkans, an opening session for launching the negotiations for the Transport Community Treaty was held in Brussels on 24.06.2008 with all concerned countries from the Western Balkans, including the Republic of Macedonia. The future Treaty, which builds upon the existing Memorandum of Understanding of the Core Regional Transport Network, signed in 2004, is expected to contribute in strengthening the cooperation in view of establishment of a more efficient transport system in the Western Balkans.

On 24 of June in Skopje, the 4^th Coordinative meeting on the Project for Completion of Corridor X took place. All parties reviewed and welcomed the progress in the preparation of this important project with huge regional dimension within TEN-T extension, agreeing as well on the further dynamics for realisation of the necessary future activities. It was pointed out that the public consultation process on the revised EIA Study has been performed in line with the national legislation, respecting relevant EU Directives and recommendations given by EC – DG Regio. Furthermore, the financing partners have considered the Project Procurement plan, expressing firm commitment for its realisation.
The 14th meeting of the SEETO steering committee was held on 13-14.07.2008 in Montenegro. At the meeting, the new Multi Annual Plan 2009-2013 was presented, and the data provided by each country as input for MAP were reviewed.
HiPERB application for the abovementioned project was revised reflecting the comments provided by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee for approval. On 11^th July, 2008, the application was considered on the HiPERB Monitoring Committee, upon which, the official letter for approval of the application was received on the 1st of September 2008 by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The draft IPA Application for the Project – Construction of the motorway along the Corridor X section is prepared and underwent all the necessary stages of consultation and included the DG REGIO unofficial comments, as well. Тhe IPA Application is approved by the Government and is ready to be sent to EC.
On 15^th of July 2008 the Government of Republic of Macedonia announced a public request for preliminary expression of interest in a limited public tender to participate along with the Government in the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a series of Toll Motorway links located in different parts of the country. The successful bidder(s) will be invited to enter into a concession (or series of concessions) to develop specific sections of the Motorway network under a Tolling system. The overall scope of work of the selected bidder(s) will be as follows:
a) Detailed design of some sections based on prepared preliminary designs;

b) Environmental Impact Assessments of all sections;

c) Structuring of Project Financing for the complete programme;

d) Construction of the Toll Road Sections;

e) Operation of the Toll Road system; and

f) Maintenance of the sections under concession

The constructed section (Phase 2- Orizari-Saraj) from the Skopje Bypass was officially opened on 24^th of July 2008 as a part of Corridor VIII, with length of 11.8.km. financed by EBRD, EIB and national contribution of Republic of Macedonia. The construction continues on the rest of the bypass.

The upgrading of Section Tabanovce – Kumanovo, as a part of Corridor X, with length of 7.4 km to level of motorway is in a phase of preparation of construction works. International tender was announced and the selection of Constructor is completed according to World Bank procedures. The construction works officially started at the end of September 2008.

Ministry of Finance has been assigned to find possibilities to provide financial means for construction of the railway link Kumanovo-Beljakovce-Kriva Planaka-Deve Bair- border with Bulgaria and to allocate budget funds for 2009 for preparations of studies, investment-technical documentation, as well as studies and project design for the section Kicevo-Lin-border with Albania, whereas the PE Macedonian Railways- Infrastructure has been assigned to start with the procedures according to the Law on Public Procurement for preparations of these studies and investment-technical documentation.
In addition, the PE Macedonian Railways-Infrastructure has submitted to the Government a draft Programme for rehabilitation, maintenance, upgrading and modernisation of the railway infrastructure for the period 2009-2012.

Regarding the procedure for awarding concession for construction, reconstruction and use of the airport “Alexander the Great” - Skopje, the airport “St. Paul the Apostle”- Ohrid and for construction of a new cargo airport in Stip the Government adopted Decision for selection of, Turkish company “TAV” as a concessionaire. (Official Gazette of RM No 108/08);The Concession Agreement was signed on 24.09.2008; and it shall enter into force after 90 days as of the signing date.

In accordance with the new Act on Job Positions from 11.07.2008, of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Department for European Union, has three units: IPA Funds Unit, Unit for Negotiations and Community Programmes Unit. Currently, there are 15 employees in the Department (11 permanent employees, and four contracted employees).

21.2 Trans European Energy Networks

In the field of the Trans European Energy Networks, during the period from June–August 2008, the Transmission Interconnection Project, Four Substations has been approved by the financial institution EBRD in amount of 6.5 mil euros. Four transmission sub-stations: Skopje 4, Skopje 5, Dubrovo and Bitola 2 will be reconstructed. The deadline for finishing this Project is 2010.