Market Maker Firms
 
Light manufacturing
 
The potential for this sector has been demonstrated through recent FDI announcements as well as significant numbers of local firms that can develop the capacity to supply these new investors and buyers abroad.

Competitiveness Project will assist companies in this sector with market linkages and meeting the standards and requirements of buyers (response time including prototypes, total quality management, and supply chain management), and facilitating access to finance.
 
 
Fashion and Design
 
This sector is Macedonia’s principal source of manufacturing employment, but faces major competitive threats based on cost.

By moving up the value chain into “full package” and branded products, the sector has a better chance move away from competition based exclusively on cost and to retain these jobs while increasing value added.

The Competitiveness Project will support market makers that can effectively organize the full package business.
 
 
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
 
This sector has experienced some successes in animation and software programming, as well as rapid growth in mobile telephony.

In addition to the higher end of ICT, there appear to be important opportunities at a lower technical level, including call centers, equipment repair and maintenance hubs, and certified manpower services.

In addition to the higher end of ICT, there appear to be important opportunities at a lower technical level, including call centers, equipment repair and maintenance hubs, and certified manpower services.

Given rapid growth of ICT outsourcing throughout the region, this area can grow rapidly to the extent that people with the right skills and credentials are developed, and firms with market linkages and the ability to organize the work are attracted or expanded.

The Competitiveness Project will support workforce development solutions as well as supporting market linkages and FDI in the sector.

USAID MACEDONIA ICT briefer
   
 
back


The information provided on this Web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for international Development or the U.S. Government
The Competitiveness Project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by CARANA Corporation.