Na kaj vas najprej spomni država Makedonija? Z etiketo Balkana, najverjetneje na vse prej kot na sodobno državo, atraktivno za tuje investitorje. Motite se. Vsaki drugi teden država Makedonija oglašuje svoj investicijski potencial v ugledni reviji The Economist. Celostranski barvni oglas prilagam v blogu. Ste vedeli, da je bila Makedonija prva država na svetu, ki je imela brezžični internet po celotni državi … in to že v letu 2005? Država, ki je kandidatka za vstop v Nato in EU pokaže svoje mišice z ugodno davčno zakonodajo, velikim trgom, poceni delovno silo, nizko inflacijo in “excellent infrastructure - Wi-Fi country”. Macedonia je le za nekaj odstotkov večja od Slovenije, upoštevaje površino ter število prebivalcev.
A Dozen Good Reasons to Invest in Macedonia
- Market Access - Duty-free access to a market of over 650 million people including the EU, Eastern and South European markets and Turkey
- Good Strategic Position – At the crossroads of Europe with major pan-European transportation corridors intersecting the country; Corridor 10 (North-South) and Corridor 8 (East-West)
- Low Costs – One of the most cost competitive locations in Europe with average monthly gross salaries of approximately 380 Euro
- Low Taxes – Corporate Income Tax rate moving down from 15% to 12% in 2007 and 10% in 2008; a ten year tax holiday is available in special Free Economic Zones
- Great People – A young (45% under 30), loyal, and educated workforce available (unemployment rate of 37%) with a strong work ethic and excellent industrial relations record
- Stable Democracy – A stable political and economic climate within a multi-party parliamentary democratic system and with official EU Candidate Country status
- FDI a Top Priority – A new Government elected in July 2006 whose top priority is the attraction of more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Macedonia; open door to two young and dynamic special Cabinet Ministers whose sole responsibility is the attraction of FDI
- Negotiable Financial Incentives – An attractive package of support incentives can be negotiated on a case by case basis
- Good Infrastructure – Excellent telecommunications system (100% digital), extensive WiFi coverage, motorway standard roads connecting main cities, plentiful supply of power, 10 international airlines serving the capital Skopje
- Responsive University System – Universities willing to collaborate with incoming investors in finding ways to meet skills needs
- Excellent Linguistic Skills – The major Balkan languages understood in Macedonia with English (widely spoken), French and German being compulsory at primary and secondary level of education
- Good Living Environment – Highly attractive living and working conditions with good houses, apartments, hotels and restaurants available at very competitive rates
In Slovenija? Pa Pomurje? S katerim argumentacijskim orožjem razpolagamo mi, da bi privabili investitorje? Z nekaterimi slabo pripravljenimi promocijskimi materiali, prihajajočo avtocesto, in argumentom lokacije med štirimi prestolnicami …
Podpiram idejo, da bi iz pomurskih razvojnih sredstev med drugim izgradili brezžični internet (Wi-Max) po celotnem Pomurju. Možnosti za izvedbo so, vendar odločajo zaenkrat še župani. Primer Makedonije dokazuje, da je investicija pravilna in atraktivna. In zgolj informacijska avtocesta (poleg tiste iz asfalta) omogoča enake možnosti, decentralizacijo in regijsko celovitost. Prej kot za razvojne projekte, pa se župani odločajo za projekte, ki so zaprti za vrtički posameznih občin. Bo tudi v prihodnjih letih namesto informacijske avtoceste za Pomurce regijski razvoj predstavljala prenova vaških mrliških vežic?
