site.btaNorth Macedonia's Government Preparing Strategy for Cooperation with Macedonian Diaspora

In response to the continuous increase in the number of Macedonian citizens living abroad, North Macedonia's government is preparing a National Strategy for Cooperation with the Diaspora for the 2025-2030 period. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timco Mucunski Wednesday presented the draft strategy as a five-year plan for developing partnerships with the diaspora, according to media reports in North Macedonia.

The strategy classifies the diaspora as a significant economic and social factor since many emigrants have high incomes and are willing to invest in small and medium-sized businesses, real estate, and social projects. The document states that the government must adopt a package of measures to support the diaspora through return, investment, and communication programmes.

The strategy also mentions a special government programme for the reintegration of returnees and individuals wishing to return to the country and rejoin social and economic life. The plan involves introducing "liaison officers" in municipalities to act as a bridge between the diaspora and central government bodies. The government will also be able to appoint a "special envoy for the diaspora".

According to the December 2022 newsletter "Study on the Diasporas’ Contributions to the Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans" by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, North Macedonia's diaspora comprises 693,896 people. Of these, 38.4% reside in EU Member States, primarily in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. The largest diaspora communities outside the EU are located in Australia, the US and Canada. The publication writes that the economic role of the diaspora is crucial. Remittances from emigrants account for between 4 and 10% of GDP, making them one of the most stable sources of foreign currency. Although there are initiatives to include emigrants in investment and start-up programmes, these are not widely implemented. Nevertheless, the potential for return on investment and economic cooperation remains significant.