The European Union keeps on supporting small and medium enterprises in Macedonia. Euro 2.2 million, spent through EU-funded projects in the past two years, helped the firms to boost their production and export as well as their competitiveness on the domestic and regional market, it has been concluded at a closing conference on Thursday.

Emphasising that the projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and smooth transition towards market economy, EU Ambassador Aivo Orav announced that additional 10 million euros were intended for small businesses.

"Most firms with the support of European experts have successfully met their objectives to increase the number of jobs and boost their competitiveness," Orav said in his speech.

Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini stated that the projects for business advisory services and enterprise growth had provided immediate assistance to the firms in improving their business performances and in developing fresh business skills.

Market research, market strategy development, branding, seeking strategic partners, researching export opportunities and attracting investors are only some of the skills mastered by Macedonian firms during the implementation of the EU-funded projects.

In the period 2010-2013, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was implementing two EU-funded projects: Implementation of the Enterprise Growth Programme and Business Advisory Services, assisting 115 local small businesses through advisory projects, thus helping them to exploit their growth and export potential.