ANALYSIS
inward process that really advanced our competitiveness.
EM: What are the advantages and challenges
associated with producing steel in Macedonia?
The country’s geographic location is an advantage
for covering the Balkan market. Moreover, with the
easy accessability here to the port in Thessaloniki,
we also have a gateway to the global market. On
the other hand, the transport cost is rather high and
challenges our expansion into some of the Balkan
markets. The scarceness of vocational professionals
also creates a challenge for us to find young professionals to become a part of our company.
EM: What path would you like to see decision
makers in Macedonia take to ensure the
sustainability of heavy industry in the country?
The metallurgical industry is facing one of the biggest crises in its history. This crisis is driving the
whole industry to adapt to globalization and the new
demands of the market. Thus all the players in the
industry are working on restructuring. Moreover, in
this restructuration the difference between those
who will disappear and those that will survive can be
influenced by decision makers’ policies. Therefore,
decisions should be made to avoid any additional
pressure in this critical period.
EM: How has the steel industry changed in the last
20 years? How is it likely to develop in the next
20?
The iron and steel industry in the last 20 years has undergone a revolution. Moreover, the industry’s historical crises had a high impact on the way steel is
made, the price, quality and range of products generated and changed the basic structure of the industry.
Since 2008, we have seen major restrictions on or
even declines in the metallurgical industry. However,
as a producer of a fabric of life, the steel industry is
expected to increase production from 1.5 billion tons
up to 2.5 billion tons in the coming years. Emerging
markets will largely increase their demand, which
gives us a very optimistic view of how the steel industry will look in the next 20 years, especially for a
global company like ours that is operating all over
the world.
NEW MEMBER
Starting from 1993, UNIBank has promoted itself as a leader in the group of medium-size banks in the Republic of Macedonia, above all due to the trust confided in us by our clients, as well as to the ongoing process of development of our operations and employees. We have created and implemented various innovative products and services, exclusively as a response
to the needs of our clients, guided by the European and worldwide banking standards. We offer our clients an extraordinary
system of values based on tradition, security and stability. Having grown together with its clients over the years, the bank
may now take pride in the following figures:
1. 20 years of successful and stable operation
2. Over 200,000 clients
3. 35 branches throughout Macedonia
4. The largest number of ATM’s in Macedonia
5. The largest number of cards issued
6. The first bank to introduce chip-protection technology in its operations
7. The first bank to introduce electronic payment via the Internet
8. A new innovative approach to the work
9. Direct and immediate access for and communication with the clients
As a result of UNIBank’s active role in the domestic and international payment operations and throughout its existence, its
financial indicators have been positive in all segments of its operations. Acknowledged as a bank of rapid development, innovation and transparency in its operations, quality services, direct and immediate interaction with its clients, we are recognizable by our mission statement – Clients’ Bank! Guided by the global criteria for client services, we constantly monitor
and measure the satisfaction of our clients. We endeavor to offer our clients the maximum of comfort in use of the banking
services by undertaking ongoing surveys.
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Emerging Macedonia Fall 2013 Issue 39