Deputy Minister of Economy and Labour, Marjan Risteski, held a working meeting with several member wineries of the "Wines of Macedonia" Association at the M6 ​​Educational Center in Skopje today.
Risteski presented to the companies some of the current activities of the Ministry of Economy and Labor aimed at improving the business climate and providing concrete support for companies.
- Recognizing winemaking as a branch of strategic economic importance for the country, several amendments to the Law on Financial Support for Investments were adopted in the Assembly these days, which allow companies engaged in the production of grape wine access to the financial resources for investments provided for in this Law. Additionally, the amendments have extended the deadline for submitting applications for granting financial support for investments until June 15, 2026. I take this opportunity to call on all companies that are interested and meet the requirements of the Law to apply for the available institutional support - said Deputy Minister Risteski.
At the meeting with the wineries, the current situation in the wine sector, the production and export of Macedonian wines were discussed, and specific proposals and ideas for promoting and supporting the sector were also given.
The Executive Director of the Wines of Macedonia Association, Elena Mladenovska Jelenkovic, emphasized that Macedonia has a real opportunity to position itself as a wine country with a recognizable global identity and an increasing presence in international markets, if the transformation of the sector continues and the consistent application of modern world standards and practices is implemented, and that it is particularly important that the importance of introducing standards, quality systems and protected geographical indications is increasingly recognized, because it is precisely they that create added value, recognition and greater competitiveness of Macedonian wines on the global market. However, such processes require clearly defined criteria, continuous investments and long-term support for the sector.
- We have quality, indigenous varieties, excellent climatic conditions and more and more wineries that are investing in the right direction. At the same time, the future of Macedonian viticulture and winemaking will also depend on the accelerated application of modern technologies, precision viticulture, digitalization, artificial intelligence and green transformation, which is no longer a choice, but a prerequisite for access to the most important markets. Viticulture and winemaking represent a strategic branch for the state and a sector that contributes more than 50 million euros to exports. That is why this legislative amendment represents a positive step and a clear signal that the state recognizes the importance of the wine industry and the need to support investments and the development of wineries. The realization of these processes requires continuous investments and strong institutional support, which is why we particularly appreciate the understanding and support that the Government and the Members of Assembly have shown with the legislative amendments that additionally recognize the wine industry as a strategically important sector - added Mladenovska Jelenkovic.
The Government and the Ministry of Economy and Labour are partners of domestic wine producers, only through joint dialogue and cooperation can we create quality policies that will enable the long-term development of the Macedonian wine industry and viticulture.
"Wines from Macedonia" is an association that unites Macedonian wineries with the aim of jointly promoting and strengthening the position of Macedonian wine on domestic and international markets. The association actively works to improve the quality, export and recognition of Macedonian wines, as well as to affirm North Macedonia as a modern and competitive wine destination.
