Skopje, 14 November 2023 (MIA) - We have at hand the most modern tools of the digital age. What lies before us is a field of enormous potential for economic growth and development. It is up to us whether we will join the great competition or sleep through this epoch of time which is already setting the development of every national economy, big or small, President Stevo Pendarovski said in his opening address at Tuesday's sixth annual e-commerce conference. 

Pendarovski pointed out that the state must invest in modern, digital education to close the digital gap in society.

According to him, artificial intelligence is becoming a key factor for even greater innovation in almost every sphere. It changes the scope, nature and structure of production, consumer habits and professions. Artificial intelligence, Pendarovski noted, is no longer reduced to aggregates for advertisements, but is growing into the backbone of retail. 

"In terms of digital transformation, the country faces three challenges. The first challenge is the fact that technological innovation often outpaces regulation and opens up the space for various abuses, from disinformation to cybercrime and cyberattacks. Due to fear of fraud, some consumers are still distrustful of online commerce. The second challenge is the risk of increasing unemployment and social inequality, especially due to the digital gap and the low level of digital literacy. The third challenge is a demographic one. The young digital generation plays a key role in e-commerce. Young people not only follow, but create the main digital trends on which economic growth depends. But therein lies our main problem. The 2020 World Migration Report ranks the country 20th in terms of migration rate. Due to a range of systemic problems, including corruption, we are in danger of losing a huge part of our young digital population. To respond to these challenges, the state must build confidence in this sector by fighting cybercrime and guaranteeing cybersecurity in the market," Pendarovski stressed.  

In addition, he pointed out that the state must develop the e-commerce system in order to be able to attract investments, generate jobs and keep young people in the country. 

Nina Angelovska, President of the Macedonian E-commerce Association, delivered a welcome speech earlier, highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence. She said that AI will not replace people, but people who use AI will replace people who do not. 

"Just as there is no growth of businesses without e-commerce, there is no growth of e-commerce without artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, buy and live, it is changing and redefining jobs, and if we use it correctly, it will make our work more efficient and more productive," said Pendarovski. 

The sixth annual e-commerce conference, organized by the Macedonian E-commerce Association, hosts a regional audience, and brings together more than 600 guests – successful entrepreneurs, e-traders, company directors, and government representatives from North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Bulgaria. 

Photo: MIA