1. Future German-Macedonian Development Cooperation in ICT Export Promotion

2. Project for Investment and Export Promotion New Project within German-Macedonian Development Cooperation German counterpart: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Macedonian counterpart: Ministry of Economy Implemented by GTZ - German Agency for Technical Cooperation First phase: January 2008 - June 2009 Second phase: July 2009 - December 2012

3. Project for Investment and Export Promotion General Project Goal: “The international competitiveness of the Macedonian Economy is increased” First Phase Project Goal: “The international recognition of Macedonia as an attractive economic partner is improved”

4. Project for Investment and Export Promotion Areas of assistance: Investment Promotion Export promotion: –ICT –Textile industry –Automotive industry

5. Project for Investment and Export Promotion - ICT Export Promotion First Phase Project Indicator: At least 4 Macedonian ICT companies have established strategic partnerships with new business partners abroad

6. Project for Investment and Export Promotion - ICT Export Promotion Obstacles to achieving international ICT competitiveness - current situation: Lack of implementing globally required quality standards Lack of sufficient number of qualified ICT experts Lack of soft skills of the ICT companies for establishing alliances and partnerships abroad Lack of international recognition of the domestic ICT strengths

7. Project for Investment and Export Promotion - ICT Export Promotion Planned activities: Assistance in elaborating a National Strategy for ICT exports Assistance in conducting a labour benchmarking (focus on Bulgaria and Romania) Establishing cooperation and enabling clearer insight into the current demands and the future trends of the ICT market

8. Project for Investment and Export Promotion - ICT Export Promotion Planned activities: Organising study trips of Macedonian to German ICT companies Assistance in implementing a program for ICT re-qualification of graduates with non-ICT technical background and skills upgrading of ICT graduates Support in exhibiting at relevant ICT fairs and development of promotional materials

9. Project for Investment and Export Promotion Contact: Valentina Nuskova Project Coordinator phone/fax: ++389 2 3103 569 email: gtz-deg@mt.net.mkgtz-deg@mt.net.mk Antonie Grubisic 5 1000 Skopje Macedonia