Greater focus should be put in the future on social entrepreneurship. There’s an abundance of opportunities in the sector on global level and many ideas are set to grow into major social businesses, providing response to social challenges and helping society become stronger, better and more diverse, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said Thursday during a forum organized by PUBLIC – Association for Research, Communications and Development and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
Participants also discussed at the forum the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and activities the government has undertaken to overcome these challenges and promote recovery in the post-COVID period, as well as sustainable and inclusive development in North Macedonia.
In that regard, Deputy PM Bytyqi stressed that the coronacrisis affected vulnerable categories of citizens.
“One of the lessons we’ve learned from the crisis is that national issues are also global issues. Therefore, it’s important to work on overcoming challenges by taking an inclusive approach, and basing values on the idea of caring for each other,” Bytyqi said.
He added that global economy will transform into social economy, with socially-responsible companies that create opportunities for vulnerable groups by generating profit becoming the center of attention.
“North Macedonia’s government has recognized the potential of social entrepreneurship and we’re ready to adjust our system to new ideas and businesses in order to build an inclusive society,” Bytyqi stressed.
He told the forum that since 2018, North Macedonia’s government has been reaffirming via the National Sustainable Development Council commitment for implementation of UN’s 2030 Agenda, stressing the importance of stable integration of sustainable development goals in strategic national documents and local plans.
German Ambassador to North Macedonia, Anke Holstein, and the executive director of PUBLIC – Association for Research, Communications and Development, Klimentina Ilievski, also addressed the forum.
