Skopje, 22 November 2022 (MIA) – Energy remains a key issue for businesses, but the skilled labor shortage is no less significant. A solution has to be found as soon as possible, especially for micro and small businesses which are in a difficult position and are suffering great losses. We are waiting for the activities of the political parties to finish before we resume the consultations and discussions with the government and other relevant entities, said the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski and the President of the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia Mendi Qyra, following a meeting Tuesday. Azeski and Qyra reaffirmed their current cooperation and stated that they will continue to jointly represent the interests of businesses. “We have already shown that we are on the same wavelength. I think that nothing will change. We will represent the interests of businesses in these difficult conditions. The country has oriented itself towards the Euro-Atlantic integrations. Currently we are waiting for the parties’ political activities to finish and then we will meet with the government again,” said Azeski. Qyra stressed that both chambers will jointly solve the issues of businesses. “Energy is a priority. It is a big issue. We will request that a solution is found as soon as possible for all companies, especially for micro and small businesses which are in a difficult position and are suffering great losses, unfortunately some of them are even closing. Currently there is also the issue of human resources and workforce. We cannot compete with the great economic powers such as Germany and Switzerland, but we can find a way to soften the blows in this area – to make sure that our workforce remains in the country. We are here to start a new chapter of cooperation. We share the same issues with the Economic Chamber, but we also share the will and desire to act together and jointly express our positions regarding the big issues affecting businesses in recent months,” said Qyra. ad/ba/