President Murmu calls for taking India-North Macedonia economic relations to new heights.
RNE Network.
President Droupadi Murmu has called for expanding India-North Macedonia economic ties, urging businesses from both countries to move beyond trade and forge long-term partnerships based on investment, technology, and innovation.
Addressing the India-North Macedonia Business Forum in Skopje, President Murmu said her visit, the first-ever by an Indian President to North Macedonia, reflects India’s strong commitment to strengthening relations. She noted that the current trade volume represents only a fraction of its potential, expressing confidence that bilateral trade could be doubled by the end of this decade.
President Murmu identified key sectors for cooperation, including digital innovation and artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agro-processing, and green energy. She invited North Macedonia to collaborate with India on Digital Public Infrastructure, highlighting the success of India’s UPI platform in promoting financial inclusion.
Akashvani’s correspondent reports that President Murmu said India’s pharmaceutical industry is well placed to invest in North Macedonia through joint manufacturing of medicines and medical devices for the wider Balkan and European markets. She also encouraged partnerships in food processing, cold-chain logistics, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, cyber security and start-up ecosystems.
The President invited North Macedonia to join initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance. She also extended an invitation to participate in the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to be held in India next year.
Concluding her address, President Murmu urged businesses, investment agencies, and industry bodies of both countries to build enduring partnerships through technology transfer, joint ventures, and local value creation. She also expressed confidence that the Business Forum would open new avenues for economic cooperation between India and North Macedonia.
President Murmu will visit the Mother Teresa Memorial in Skopje today. She will be accompanied by her counterpart Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. President Murmu will also visit the Skopje Museum where she, along with Ms. Davkova and the Mayor of Skopje, will unveil a bust of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
The President will also visit Lake Ohrid with her Macedonian counterpart and the Mayor of Ohrid. A World Heritage Site, Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, featuring a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species.
