07/24/2013, The Polog Diaspora met in Gostivar to discuss what should be done in order to expand diaspora investment in the Polog region. The event, a traditional Iftar dinner, was opened by Mrs. Teuta Arifi, Mayor of the Municipality of Tetovo, Mr. Nevzet Bejta, Mayor of the Municipality of Gostivar, and Mr. Menderes Kuci, the President of Economic Chamber of North-West. After a joint presentation on the investment opportunities that exist in the municipalities gravitating around Gostivar, members of the Diaspora business community had a chance to hear about a number of successful businisses financed by diaspora investment (RBI Company, Grafix Trade, Casifico Cesarina – Fejzi Dairy), along with an opportunity to network, create links and establish contacts with potential investees. Ultimately, the objective of the event was to learn about what it is that has made past diaspora investments in Polog successful and what the Diaspora needs in order to replicate these successes through new investments.

The Iftar dinner was organized by the Polog Regional Development Center and the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia, in collaboration with the Polog municipalities, and supported by the USAID Small Business Expansion Project, GIZ-RED, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The event is a part of a new initiative called Diaspora Invest that aims to attracting investments from the Macedonian diaspora. The Economic Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Macedonia, as an umbrella organization for all existing businesses, will assist the diaspora investors by offering information about the current economic situation and the local labor market, and will also work on preparing business plans, improving supply chains and helping companies penetrate both local and international markets.