Skopje, 26 September 2022 (MIA) — Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi addressed in Zagreb a Croatian business forum aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between Croatia and North Macedonia. As part of the business forum, Deputy Prime Minister Bytyqi also met with Croatia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, according to a press release from the government. Bytyqi and Butković talked about Croatia's experiences during its accession negotiations with the European Union as well as boosting regional competitiveness as a catalyst for North Macedonia’s EU integration. They also discussed the bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia. “The Ministries of Finance of the two countries, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia, will further regulate all additional rights and obligations related to the double taxation avoidance agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of North Macedonia so that companies in both countries have the right to VAT deductions for sales made in the other country,” the press release says. Ahead of the forum, Bytyqi and Butković attended a meeting between members of the two countries’ economic chambers. Meeting participants included Luka Barilović, president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy; Ivo Usmiani, Macedonian-Croatian business club president; Branko Azeski, North Macedonia’s Economic Chamber head; and North Macedonia’s Ambassador to Croatia Milaim Fetai. The business forum was organized by the Croatian Chamber of Economy. Participants included members of North Macedonia’s Economic Chamber, the Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia, the Union of the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce as well as many businesspeople from both countries. mr/