Investing in Macedonia Series
 
Chicago - Tuesday November 4, 2014
Printable agenda 
17:15 - 18:00Drinks Reception
18:00 - 18:05Opening Remarks from the Chair
Courtney Fingar, Editor-in-Chief, fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group

18:05 - 18:20Keynote Government Address: Macedonia as an Investment Location
  • Introducing Macedonia
  • Macedonia’s political, economic, financial and business climate
  • Why foreign businesses invest there
Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister, Republic of Macedonia

18:20 - 19:15Dinner: First and Second Courses Served
19:15 - 20:00Panel discussion followed by Q&A with guests: Turning Investment Opportunities into Realities
Topics to be covered, based on real-life experience, will include:
  • The main opportunities for foreign direct investors in Macedonia
  • Its advantages and disadvantages as a business location
  • The official incentives available - grants, loans, favourable tax arrangements
  • Dealing with the practicalities of setting up business there
  • The difficulties that can be encountered, and how they are overcome
  • The long-term business outlook for Macedonia
Zoran Stavreski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Republic of Macedonia
Jerry Naumoff, Minister for Foreign Investments, Republic of Macedonia
Frank Brandenberg, Chairman and Director, KEMET Corporation
Phil Gilbert, Managing Director, P&M Corporate Finance  
George Perry, automotive industry executive consultant and former CEO,Yazaki North America
Mike Zafirovski, Chairman and Co-Founder, Macedonia 2025; President, The Zaf Group

Moderator:
Courtney Fingar, Editor-in-Chief, fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group

20:00 - 20:10Summary of Macedonia’s Attractions to International Businesses
Viktor Mizo, Chief Executive Officer, Free Zones Authority, Republic of Macedonia 

20:10 - 20:15Closing Remarks
Courtney Fingar, Editor-in-Chief, fDi Magazine, Financial Times Group

20:15 - 20:40Dessert and Coffee
20:40Formal conclusion