Book and Go
Latest features
North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia): Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
Business culture in North Macedonia tends to be formal but friendly, with personal relationships playing an important role in establishing trust. Initial meetings are usually polite and somewhat reserved, though conversations often become warmer once a relationship has been established.
Handshakes are the standard greeting in business settings. It is customary to greet everyone individually when entering a meeting or office. Business cards are commonly exchanged, though not always at the start of a meeting.
Punctuality is appreciated, particularly in professional environments, although meetings do not always begin exactly on time. Dress tends to be conservative in formal business settings, especially in government offices and larger companies.
English is widely spoken in international business circles and among younger professionals, particularly in Skopje. However, interpreters may still be useful for meetings involving smaller local businesses or official matters.
Business discussions may begin with general conversation before moving on to specific topics. Hospitality is valued, and it is common for meetings to include coffee, refreshments or invitations to lunch.
North Macedonia has a small upper-middle-income economy driven primarily by services, manufacturing, trade and agriculture. Since gaining independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, the country has gradually transitioned towards a market-based economy and has sought closer economic integration with the European Union.
The services sector is the largest contributor to the economy, particularly retail, transport, telecommunications and financial services. Manufacturing also plays an important role, with automotive components, textiles, chemicals and metal products among the country's key industrial outputs.
Agriculture remains significant in rural areas. Important agricultural products include grapes, tobacco, vegetables, wheat and livestock. North Macedonia also has a growing wine industry, with vineyards concentrated in regions such as Tikveš.
Foreign investment has increased in recent years, supported by industrial free economic zones and relatively low labour costs. Germany and other EU countries are among North Macedonia’s most important trading partners.
Tourism contributes steadily to the economy, particularly around Lake Ohrid and in Skopje. Although the country remains less visited than some neighbouring Balkan destinations, tourism has continued to develop as international awareness grows.
Automotive components, machinery, chemicals, iron and steel products, textiles and agricultural goods.
Keeping in Touch in North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
Mobile phone coverage in North Macedonia is generally good, particularly in cities, towns and along major roads. Coverage can be weaker in some remote mountainous regions and national parks.
The country's main mobile network operators are Makedonski Telekom, A1 Macedonia and Lyca Mobile.
Visitors can easily purchase prepaid SIM cards at airports, mobile phone shops, supermarkets and kiosks. A passport may be required for SIM card registration.
WiFi is widely available in North Macedonia, particularly in hotels, cafés, restaurants and shopping centres in cities and tourist areas such as Skopje and Ohrid.
Many accommodation providers offer free WiFi for guests, although speeds and reliability can vary depending on the location and property.
Public WiFi networks are also available in some cafés, airports and public spaces. As with anywhere, travellers should exercise caution when using unsecured public networks for sensitive transactions.
Internet speeds are generally adequate for everyday browsing, messaging and video calls in major urban areas.
North Macedonia has a diverse media landscape comprising television, radio, print and online outlets operating in both Macedonian and Albanian. Public and private broadcasters are active throughout the country.
Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) is the state public broadcaster and operates several television and radio channels. Numerous private television stations and online news portals also compete for audiences.
International news channels are widely available through cable and satellite television services in hotels and private homes.
You know where