Autumn
Fall2016
2016//Issue
Issue5151
Fall 2016 / Issue 51
AMCHAM NEWS & EVENTS
AmCham Supports
Macedonia’s First Manufacturing Expo
Jess L. Baily, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia
O
ne of the greatest benefits of foreign
direct investment in a country is the
opportunity for home grown companies to familiarize themselves with,
learn from and eventually sell to companies that are already competing on the global
stage. One of AmCham’s primary functions since
its foundation in 2000 has been to encourage this
interaction. Over the years, progress has been made
in this regard, particularly between FDI and Macedonia’s metal-machining and electrical industries. To
continue building on this trend, AmCham sponsored
Macedonia’s first Manufacturing Expo this September, organized by the Macedonian Association of
Metal and Electrical Industry (MAMEI) and the Small
Business Expansion Project financed by USAID and
the Swiss Government.
This international B2B event involved a total of 68
companies: 18 international companies (including
Siemens, Cerametal, Van Hool, ARC Automotive)
interested in potentially buying from local suppliers
and 50 local companies producers promoting their
products, capacities and know-how. A total of 170
B2B meetings took place at the event, some of
which resulted in company visits by potential buyers.
The event drew notabl e media attention, helping
raise public awareness of the current and potential
value that these sectors bring to the whole economy,
as well as the important role of foreign investors in
boosting local company growth.
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