To prepare a long-term strategy to increase the level of economic growth between 5% and 7% in the next decade, to set up a deal between the public and private sector to regulate the relationship with the government and other state bodies, to consult the business community when adopting laws, rule of law, guaranteed private ownership, improved access to finances for companies and to improve liquidity, loyal competitiveness, to advance the educational system and effectiveness of the labor force are some of the proposals put forward Wednesday by the Economic Chamber of Macedonia to a government business team, led by PM Zoran Zaev.

At the working meeting, companies called for an immediate organization of a population census alongside a census of all economic relevant indicators, which is considered the starting point for planning, projecting and taking concrete reform-oriented measures in the economy.

PM Zaev urged the business sector to strongly support the government and to cooperate so as to create policies together.

"We have ambitious and motivated ministers, the business sectors in the government function flawlessly. We wish the government were the service of both businesses and citizens," noted Zaev.

Criticism, proposals and suggestions for the ministers are welcome in order to create a developing and competitive economy, he said.

Furthermore, Deputy PM Koco Angjusev stressed that the government had been demonstrating a strong will to help the economy. "Foundations will be based to stimulate export-oriented companies whose main tendency is to grow, to expand their capacities and to conquer new markets."

Angjusev once again stressed that foreign investors were welcome in Macedonia, but said that more efforts would be made to increase cooperation with domestic companies.

"We won't be making pressure on foreign investors, but we will work with domestic companies in order to increase their capacity and to become the main partners of foreign investors," the Deputy PM said noting that measures would be applied equally for foreign and domestic investors.

The economic team taking part in the working event also included Finance Minister Dragan Tevdovski, Transport Minister Goran Sugareski and Agriculture Minister Ljupco Nikolovski.