S&T Country Report - Albania - WBC-INCO Net

Following measures and activities shall be implemented (Ministry of Economy 2007):
- Strengthen the capacity of existing and opening of new business centres;
- Develop an effective market for business services;
- Ease the access to the information for consulting services and advisory
support to SMEs;
- Continual education for entrepreneurship and business;
- Promote technological parks, entrepreneurial zones, incubators and other
organisations for business support;
- Introduce quality standards in business services;
- Continue with the voucher related activities for consulting services;
- Promote innovation and information technology;
- Organise campaigns for raising awareness of entrepreneurs; and
- Establish a National Certification Body for consultants.
The establishment of a sector for economic reforms within the General Secretariat of
the Government strengthened the country’s administrative capacity for enterprise and
industrial policy. It will provide institutional support for the Government’s co-ordinating
body for economic reforms, develop a methodology for regulatory impact assessment
and strengthen communication with the private sector, specifically the business
sector. A new unit for industrial policy in the Ministry of Economy is preparing a study
on competitiveness indicators. This set of indicators will be used to develop the
industrial strategy. In June 2006, the country has adopted the new Law on Vocational
Education and Science, which introduced entrepreneurship learning as an integral
part of secondary education. Some progress has been made with the promotion of
on-line access for entrepreneurs. An e-tax system was launched in July 2006. It
allows on-line filing of tax forms, but is currently only used for larger tax payers.
In 2006, the first Innovation Relay Centre has begun operating in the country.
However, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia still lacks an industrial
strategy, as well as a national technology and innovation strategy. Regulatory impact
assessments will have to be introduced. It is necessary to make better use of ICT
technologies to facilitate communication with the business sector, to strengthen the
national Agency for Promotion of Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Macedonia
(APPRM) and to enhance transparency and the influence of the SME community in
the context of the dialogue within the National Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness
Council (NECC). Preparations in this area are moderately advanced. No particular
developments can be reported in the areas of enterprise and industrial policy
instruments and sector policies. Preparations in this area are at an early stage
(European Commission 2006).
1.2 Strategic Documents
Strategic documents reflecting National Innovation Strategies (NIS) have been
already highlighted in Science and Technology Country Report Country – D8 FYROM
(see.science.eu). Generally, the support to small and medium-sized enterprises in
FYR of Macedonia is ruled by the following documents:
- ‘National Development Strategy for Small and Medium Enterprises’ (2002 -
2013);
page 6/MKD