AGP Executive Report

Film Production in Skopje: Macedonian director Marija Apchevska Petrovska is shooting her debut feature “Spring Cleaning” across Skopje, with a story built around a daughter returning to her hometown after her mother’s suicide. Regional Film Industry: Slovenia’s Kranj hosted the fifth “ReActing as a Star” edition, bringing together actors, casting directors and agents from North Macedonia and the wider Balkans. Co-production & Rights Markets: KVIFF Central Stage and its new Book-to-Screen program unveiled projects and literary adaptations aimed at boosting Central-European film financing and distribution. EU Enlargement Watch: Ukraine and Moldova opened the first EU accession cluster talks (“fundamentals”), a reminder that reforms—especially rule of law—are the real work ahead. Energy & Renewables: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity. Chemicals & Manufacturing Supply Chains: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya for pigment ranges used across paints, inks, plastics, textiles and coatings, including North Macedonia. Tech & Cyber Cooperation: Croatia hosted CACE 2026, a regional cyber exercise that included North Macedonia and U.S. National Guard partners. North Macedonia–Türkiye Business Push: PM Hristijan Mickoski invited Turkish investors at a forum in Istanbul, pitching Skopje as a gateway into European supply chains. Macroeconomy Snapshot: North Macedonia’s GDP rose 0.4% in Q1 2026, with manufacturing, electricity supply and agriculture among the positive contributors, while construction weighed on growth.

EU-Western Balkans Push: At the EU-Western Balkans summit, the bloc signaled it “will not be complete without the Western Balkans,” while Ukraine and Moldova moved into the first accession talks cluster focused on rule of law and state functioning. Skopje–Ankara Business Drive: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski met Erdogan in Istanbul and urged Turkish investors at a business forum, pitching Skopje as a gateway to EU supply chains and promising fewer procedures via digitized services. Trade Targets: Turkey and North Macedonia discussed lifting bilateral trade toward $2bn, citing $886m trade by end-2025 and Turkish contracting activity. Manufacturing & Chemicals Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution agreement with Omya for pigment ranges, including North Macedonia, aiming to expand reach to European manufacturers. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned Balkans’ first large-scale solar battery storage system in North Macedonia (30 MW), boosting grid flexibility for renewables. Macroeconomy: North Macedonia’s GDP rose 0.4% in Q1 2026, with manufacturing, trade, electricity supply, transport, health and agriculture supporting growth, while construction weighed on results. Regional Cyber Exercise: North Macedonia joined a major Adriatic cyber defense drill in Croatia with U.S. National Guard partners, strengthening cross-border incident readiness.

Cyber & Security: Croatia hosted CACE 2026, a major regional cyber drill with over 100 professionals from seven European nations plus U.S. National Guard partners, including North Macedonia, aiming to strengthen cross-border defenses. Macroeconomy: North Macedonia’s real GDP rose 0.4% in Q1 2026, with gains led by manufacturing, trade, electricity/heat supply, transport, health and agriculture, while construction and real estate weighed. EU Integration: Ukraine and Moldova are set to open the first EU accession cluster focused on fundamentals, a reminder that the enlargement road is long and reform-heavy. Turkey–North Macedonia Business Push: PM Hristijan Mickoski met Erdogan and invited Turkish investors to build in North Macedonia, pitching the country as a gateway to European supply chains; trade is moving toward a $2bn target. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park, boosting grid stability for renewables. Renewables Finance: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity. Industry Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution agreement with Omya, covering North Macedonia among other Balkan markets for pigment ranges used in paints, textiles and coatings. Air Quality Watch: A PM2.5 map flags North Macedonia’s Skopje region among the worst in Europe for premature deaths tied to fine-particle pollution.

Turkey–North Macedonia Dealmaking: PM Hristijan Mickoski and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed plans to deepen strategic cooperation, with focus on trade, new investments, infrastructure, energy, tourism, education and defense. Investment Push: Mickoski told Turkish business leaders in Istanbul that Skopje offers a gateway to European supply chains, while his government is digitizing services and cutting procedures to improve the business climate. Trade Momentum: Officials at the Türkiye–North Macedonia Business Forum said bilateral trade hit $886m by end-2025 and aim to reach $2bn, citing Turkish contracting activity and talks to modernize the free trade agreement for e-commerce and services. Industrial Materials for Balkans: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya for pigment ranges SunTone and SunCoat, covering North Macedonia and nearby markets (excluding Switzerland and Poland). Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park, boosting grid flexibility in the Western Balkans. Regional Cyber Cooperation: North Macedonia joined a large Adriatic cyber exercise (CACE 2026) with regional partners and U.S. National Guard teams to strengthen cross-border defense coordination. EU Enlargement Watch: EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova are set to open in Luxembourg, underscoring the bloc’s renewed enlargement push that also includes North Macedonia on the agenda.

Turkey–North Macedonia Business Push: PM Hristijan Mickoski met President Erdoğan in Istanbul and then invited Turkish investors at a DEİK forum, pitching Skopje as a gateway to EU markets; officials said trade hit $886m in 2025 and aim to double it to $2bn, with talks to modernize the free trade deal for e-commerce and services. Renewables & Grid Storage: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park, marking a first grid-scale facility for the country and the Western Balkans. EU Funding for Clean Power: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC renewable projects across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting hundreds of MW of wind and solar—relevant for regional energy security and supply chains. EU Enlargement Pressure: EU ambassadors agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, while enlargement safeguards are being debated to avoid “Orbán repeat” scenarios—watch how this affects North Macedonia’s investment climate. Governance & Industry Risks: A report warns Western Balkan media faces political pressure and disinformation, while another analysis flags illegal logging risks tied to governance gaps and delayed EU rules. Environment & Health: A PM2.5 map linked North Macedonia’s Skopje region to high premature-death impacts, underlining pollution exposure tied to industry and traffic.

Renewable Energy Deal: EBRD approved a €175m loan for Greece’s PPC to build about 400 MW of wind and solar across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, boosting clean output and energy security. Power Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, aiming to stabilize renewables on the grid. EU Enlargement & Governance: EU member states agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, while a separate push from EU heavyweights seeks faster safeguards against “democratic and legal breaches” by future members—an issue that matters for the Western Balkans’ integration path. Skopje-Türkiye Business Push: North Macedonia’s PM Mickoski invited Turkish investors in Istanbul, pitching Skopje as a gateway to European supply chains, while trade officials said bilateral trade is moving toward a $2bn target. Investment Climate Pressure: A report warns North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly tied to EU accession progress, as net FDI fell sharply in 2025. Industry & Materials: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya for pigment dispersions and powders, including North Macedonia and other Balkan markets. Environment & Compliance Risk: With the EU Deforestation Regulation delayed to late 2026, illegal logging networks are accelerating in the region, including forests shared by Albania and North Macedonia. Regional Cyber Cooperation: North Macedonia joined a major Adriatic cyber exercise (CACE 2026) with regional partners and U.S. National Guard teams.

EU Enlargement Momentum: EU ambassadors agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first steps focused on rule of law, institutions, and rights—another sign the bloc is pushing enlargement faster. Skopje–Ankara Business Push: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski invited Turkish investors in Istanbul, pitching the country as a gateway into European supply chains and pointing to digitized services and fewer procedures. Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia discussed ways to more than double bilateral trade toward a $2bn target; Turkish contracting firms cited 45 completed projects worth $2bn. Investment Climate Watch: A new analysis warns North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly tied to EU accession progress as net FDI fell sharply in 2025. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, billed as the first grid-scale facility of its kind in the Western Balkans. Renewables Finance: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout across Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity. Environment & Health: A Europe-wide pollution map links PM2.5 to premature deaths, flagging North Macedonia’s Skopski region among the worst-hit areas. Governance & Media: A regional study says war-crimes coverage and transitional justice reporting face political pressure and disinformation risks across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia.

Investment Push: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski invited Turkish businesspeople to invest in Skopje, pitching the country as a gateway to European supply chains and citing steps to cut red tape and digitize services. Trade Talks: Türkiye and North Macedonia also discussed boosting bilateral trade beyond $886m (end-2025) toward a $2bn target, with Turkish contractors and manufacturing employment highlighted. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park—positioned as the Balkans’ first large-scale grid-scale BESS. EU Funding for Renewables: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity and regional decarbonisation. Air Quality Watch: A Europe-wide PM2.5 map flagged North Macedonia’s Skopski region as among the worst for premature deaths tied to fine-particle pollution. Regional Connectivity Scrutiny: An EU audit warns Western Balkan TEN-T projects face delays from immature planning and weak monitoring, with the 2030 deadline at risk. Industrial Chemicals Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution partnership with Omya, covering pigment dispersions and powders including North Macedonia.

Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia met in Istanbul to push bilateral trade beyond $886m (end-2025) toward a $2bn target, with talks on modernizing the free trade deal for e-commerce and services and Turkish contractors’ track record in North Macedonia. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery system for Mey Energy in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park, marking the Balkans’ first large-scale grid battery storage push. Renewables Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175m loan for PPC to add about 400 MW of wind and solar across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting decarbonisation and energy security. Industrial Materials Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution agreement with Omya for pigment dispersions and powders, covering North Macedonia among other Balkan markets. Air Quality Pressure: A Europe-wide PM2.5 map flags North Macedonia’s Skopski region among the worst for premature deaths tied to fine particle pollution. Investment Climate Watch: Reporting warns North Macedonia’s higher-quality FDI push is increasingly linked to EU accession progress as net FDI fell sharply in 2025.

Renewables & Grid Storage: YESS Power commissioned Balkans’ first large-scale solar battery storage system in North Macedonia — a 30 MW BESS co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, boosting flexibility and grid stability. Energy Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175 mln loan for PPC’s renewable-energy rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, targeting ~400 MW of wind/solar and ~760 GWh clean power annually. EU Transport Oversight: A European Court of Auditors probe says EU oversight of Western Balkan TEN-T projects is weak, with delays linked to funding immature projects and slow start times. Investment Climate: North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality foreign investment is increasingly tied to EU accession progress, as FDI fell sharply in 2025 and uncertainty weighs on new entrants. Industrial Materials: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya, covering pigments for manufacturers across North Macedonia and the wider region. Energy Prices Pressure: A new ranking shows electricity costs vary wildly across Europe, with fuel-importing markets and policy choices driving higher household bills. Drought Risk to Food: A Europe-wide drought analysis flags exceptional dryness since 2012 and warns of growing threats to agriculture and food security, including in North Macedonia.

Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned Balkans’ first large-scale 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, aiming to boost grid stability and renewable integration. EU Enlargement Rules: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg back stronger EU safeguards to act faster against “democratic and legal breaches,” including possible fund and voting-right suspensions and limits on new members’ veto powers. Investment Climate Watch: North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly linked to EU accession progress, as 2025 net FDI fell sharply and analysts warn stalled EU path is eroding the country’s investment edge. Regional Connectivity Agenda: SEECP leaders met in Sofia as Romania took over the rotating chairmanship, with priorities spanning enlargement support, resilience to cyber and hybrid threats, and energy/transport/digital connectivity. Industrial Trade Link: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya Group, covering pigment dispersions and powders across North Macedonia and other Balkan markets. Energy Market Pressure: A Greek LNG buyer says long-term US LNG contracts are getting harder as Middle East disruptions tighten supply and raise price uncertainty. Housing Cost Strain: EU data shows soaring prices and rents are driving homelessness up, hitting young and vulnerable groups hardest.

EU Accession Watch: EU enlargement chief Marta Kos says North Macedonia’s investment pull is increasingly tied to EU accession momentum, as FDI fell sharply in 2025 and only partly rebounded in early 2026—raising pressure to keep reforms moving. Regional Connectivity: At the SEECP summit in Sofia, leaders including North Macedonia’s president backed stronger transport and energy links, positioning the Balkans as a potential hub for energy diversification and resilience. Energy Security: The Energy Community reports improving gas storage readiness across South-East Europe; North Macedonia is expected to secure winter supply via access to gas stored abroad as Serbia and Ukraine hit fill targets. Climate & Agriculture: A Europe-wide drought analysis flags exceptionally dry years affecting North Macedonia and the wider region, warning agriculture and food security are under strain. Telecom Competition: Starlink’s new 100Mbps/200Mbps tier rollout is already live across Europe and includes North Macedonia—potentially reshaping local internet pricing pressure. Mining Output: Central Asia Metals reports steady production at Sasa (zinc/lead) and Kounrad (copper), with price support and low treatment charges boosting revenues. Work & Productivity: A Eurostat-based roundup shows North Macedonia’s average working week sits above the EU average, feeding debate on labor models across Europe.

EU Merger Scrutiny: The European Commission has opened an investigation into Paramount’s $111bn Warner Bros. Discovery merger after filings showed about $24bn in backing from Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds, with a July 14 deadline for a decision under the EU Foreign Subsidies rules. UK Competition Watch: Britain’s CMA has formally started its probe into the same deal, with an Aug. 7 deadline to decide whether it goes to a deeper phase. Local Industry Link: North Macedonia is named among the approvals for the merger, while the country also appears in the region-wide footprint of a separate pharma expansion: Genesis Pharma and Alnylam are extending RNAi therapeutics commercialization to North Macedonia and other Southeast Europe markets. Mining Output: Central Asia Metals reported May production gains at its Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia and copper output at Kounrad in Kazakhstan, citing higher received metal prices and improved revenues. Energy Security: The Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says North Macedonia must secure storage access abroad to meet winter reserve expectations, as Serbia and Ukraine exceed fill targets. EU Enlargement Momentum: EU-Western Balkans summit coverage keeps spotlighting faster accession paths, with North Macedonia repeatedly referenced in the broader regional integration push.

Industrial Transformation: HEIDELBERG says it has accelerated its shift into a broader technology group, using a dual-use approach to expand into defense, security, energy, charging infrastructure and industrial systems under HD Advanced Technologies. Public Spending Transparency: A Skopje watchdog says the VMRO-DPMNE-led government is withholding costs and selection details for this year’s Independence Day celebrations, despite promises of major international performances. Energy & Renewables Finance: The EBRD approved a EUR 175m loan for PPC renewable projects in Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, targeting about 400MW of wind and solar and training up to 150 engineers for battery storage. Gas Security Rules: The Energy Community reports improving winter readiness as Serbia and Ukraine meet storage targets, while North Macedonia is expected to secure access to gas stored abroad. EU Enlargement Momentum: EU leaders in Montenegro pushed “gradual integration” and faster accession steps for Western Balkans states, linking enlargement more directly to security concerns. Regional Diplomacy: Türkiye’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan will represent President Erdoğan at the SEECP summit in Sofia, highlighting connectivity and regional unity. Retail Expansion: SPAR enters Iceland with two stores under a Drangar deal, using Samkaup to scale fresh and convenience offerings. Cyber Extortion Watch: The Silent Ransom Group is shifting to fast-flux infrastructure, with advisories warning of ongoing data-leak extortion targeting sensitive sectors. Forestry Snapshot: A data roundup ranks North Macedonia among Europe’s more forested countries, with forest cover at about 40% of land area.

EU Enlargement & Security: EU leaders meeting in Montenegro’s Tivat pushed “gradual integration” and faster accession, framing enlargement as a geostrategic necessity amid Russia-Ukraine fallout and wider security risks; Energy Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175 mln loan for PPC renewable projects (wind/solar) across Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, with training support for up to 150 engineers in battery storage; Gas Supply Rules: Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says Serbia and Ukraine are meeting winter fill targets, while North Macedonia must secure storage access abroad equivalent to 15% of average annual consumption; Balkan Industry & Trade: Balkan Expo 2026 is running B2B food-industry meetings with 400+ regional firms, including agriculture, processing and packaging players; Cyber Extortion Risk: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux botnet infrastructure, with FBI warnings that law firms and other sensitive sectors are being targeted; Local Business Links: Kazanlak and Spain’s Xativa discussed twinning and cooperation in mechanical engineering, culture and tourism.

Gas Security Update: The Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says supply security in South-Eastern and Eastern Europe is improving as candidate countries align storage rules with EU standards; Serbia and Ukraine have exceeded 2025 fill targets and hit early-2026 interim goals, while North Macedonia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to secure access to gas stored abroad (at least 15% of average annual consumption). EU Enlargement Push: At the EU–Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, EU leaders backed faster accession and “gradual integration” ideas, with Germany and France proposing incentives like earlier single-market access or observers in EU formats for countries meeting sector criteria. North Macedonia Business & Industry: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court annulled the 2023 withdrawal of approval for its Ilovica 6 and Ilovica 11 concession merger, restoring the merger approval and paving the way for renewed talks with state institutions. Cyber Extortion Watch: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux botnet infrastructure, complicating disruption efforts as it targets sensitive sectors including law firms. Food Trade & Networking: Balkan Expo 2026 is running B2B meetings with 400+ food-industry representatives, including processing, packaging and agriculture players, plus product tastings.