AGP Executive Report

Food Trade: Kosovo has banned all dairy imports from AD Mlekarna Tetovo after 11 tests between April and October found E. coli in some products. Shipments that failed testing were stopped at the border; imports can resume once the factory meets safety rules. Mobile Costs: The EU has opened talks with North Macedonia and five other Western Balkan partners to join “Roam Like at Home.” The deal would remove extra roaming charges, but requires agreements and alignment with EU rules. Banking and Trade: North Macedonia’s central bank has placed Alta Banka’s local subsidiary under administration amid the crisis at its Serbian parent. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski warned that frozen funds could hurt Macedonian companies with Serbian partners, noting bilateral trade reached about €1.2 billion in 2025.

Dairy Exports: Kosovo has banned all imports from North Macedonia’s AD Mlekarna Tetovo after 11 tests found E. coli in some products. Shipments that failed inspection were stopped at the border; the ban remains until the company meets food-safety rules. Regional Connectivity: The EU has opened talks with North Macedonia and five other Western Balkan partners to extend “Roam Like at Home,” removing extra mobile charges once agreements are reached and rules aligned. Banking and Trade: Alta Banka Bitola remains under administration, with limits on cash withdrawals. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski warned that frozen funds at its Serbian parent are hurting Macedonian companies and partners, putting at risk trade worth about €1.2 billion in 2025. Telecoms: Makedonski Telekom CEO Goran Markovic will take a Deutsche Telekom commercial growth role covering nine European markets, including North Macedonia, from January.

Connectivity: The European Commission has opened talks to bring North Macedonia into the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” scheme, which would remove roaming surcharges once agreements are finalised and local rules aligned. Banking and Trade: Alta Banka’s North Macedonian unit is under central-bank administration after its Serbian parent lost its licence, with limits on cash withdrawals. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski warned that Macedonian firms could be hit by Serbian partners’ financial troubles; bilateral trade reached about €1.2 billion in 2025. Business: Makedonski Telekom CEO Goran Markovic will take a Deutsche Telekom role overseeing commercial growth in nine European markets, including North Macedonia, from January. Exports: More than 19 tonnes of North Macedonian apples were rejected over excessive pesticide residues, highlighting a risk for agricultural exporters. Tourism: Saudi Arabia has added North Macedonia to its tourist visa programme, opening access to e-visas, visas on arrival and transit visas.

Corporate Leadership: Makedonski Telekom CEO Goran Markovic will become Deutsche Telekom’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Growth Europe in January, overseeing expansion across nine markets, including North Macedonia. Banking and Business: Alta Banka Bitola remains under administration after its Serbian parent lost its licence, with withdrawal limits and queues unsettling customers. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski warned that frozen funds are putting Serbian business partners at risk and could hurt Macedonian companies; trade with Serbia reached about €1.2 billion in 2025. EU Outlook: The European Commission says North Macedonia’s accession progress has stalled, adding pressure for reforms and compliance with the Prespa Agreement. Retail: South Korean skincare brand Centellian24 has entered 180 Zegin pharmacies, extending its European sales network. Agriculture: More than 19 tonnes of Macedonian apples were rejected over excessive pesticide residues, a setback for exporters.

Banking Shock: Alta Banka’s crisis is spreading beyond its small local footprint. The National Bank has placed the Bitola subsidiary under administration and limited cash withdrawals, while more than 5,000 welfare recipients await access to funds. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says Macedonian firms are exposed to Serbian partners whose money is frozen; bilateral trade reached €1.2 billion in 2025. EU Accession: The European Commission says North Macedonia’s integration process is stagnating and warns officials to uphold the Prespa Agreement, keeping reform progress in focus for investors. Retail Expansion: Korean skincare brand Centellian24 has entered 180 Zegin pharmacies, expanding its European distribution. Agricultural Trade: More than 19 tonnes of North Macedonian apples were rejected over excessive pesticide residues, a setback for exporters. Air Links: flydubai plans to resume direct Skopje–Dubai flights in spring 2027, potentially boosting business and tourism connections.

EU Accession: Brussels warned North Macedonia’s officials against disregarding the Prespa Agreement and said the country’s EU path remains stalled, while stressing that reforms shape access to the bloc and its economic opportunities. Banking: The National Bank placed Alta Banka’s Bitola subsidiary under administrative management after Serbia revoked its parent bank’s licence. More than 5,000 social-assistance recipients who use the bank were given arrangements to withdraw their funds; the case is also headed for parliamentary scrutiny. Trade: A shipment of North Macedonian apples was rejected over excessive pesticide residues, raising concerns for exporters seeking to meet EU food-safety standards. Investment Fraud: North Macedonia joined a cross-border operation targeting an alleged investment-scam network. Authorities in seven countries arrested suspects and seized more than 100 servers; investigators estimate losses exceed €4 million.

Banking: North Macedonia’s central bank placed Alta Bank Bitola under administrative management after Serbia revoked its parent bank’s licence. More than 5,000 social-welfare recipients who receive payments through the bank were offered access to their funds at counters. EU Integration: The European Commission says North Macedonia’s accession process is stagnating, while it set roadmaps for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine. The report links progress to reforms and economic convergence. Financial Crime: A cross-border fraud investigation involving North Macedonia led to seven arrests and the seizure of more than 100 servers. Europol says call centres in the country were linked to fake investment platforms targeting victims in over 50 countries. Trade: Bulgaria rejected more than 19 tonnes of North Macedonian apples over excessive pesticide residues, highlighting a continuing hurdle for agricultural exports.

EU Accession: The European Commission’s annual report says North Macedonia’s integration process is effectively stagnant, stressing that reform progress, the rule of law and economic convergence shape the pace of membership talks. Banking: The National Bank placed Alta Banka’s Bitola subsidiary under temporary administration after Serbia revoked the parent bank’s licence. Around €2 million was withdrawn, and customers face weekly withdrawal limits. Investment Fraud: North Macedonia joined a Europol-backed operation that seized more than 100 servers and arrested seven suspects over a scheme with potential victims in 50 countries and estimated losses above €4 million. Investigators identified suspected scam call centres in the country. Trade: More than 19 tonnes of North Macedonian apples were rejected over excessive pesticide residues, adding pressure on exporters to meet EU food-safety standards. Connectivity: flydubai plans to resume direct Skopje–Dubai flights in April 2027.

Investment Fraud: A Europol- and Eurojust-backed operation involving North Macedonia seized more than 100 servers and led to seven arrests across participating countries. Investigators say call centres in North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo were linked to fake trading platforms that reached potential victims in over 50 countries and caused more than €4 million in losses. Alta Bank Bitola: North Macedonia’s central bank has placed the subsidiary of Serbia’s failed Alta Bank under temporary administration to protect depositors; about €2 million was withdrawn before the measure. Ruling and opposition lawmakers have agreed to hold an oversight hearing on the case. Agricultural Trade: Bulgaria rejected a 19-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests found excessive pesticide residues, barring the fruit from the EU market. Air Links: flydubai plans to restart direct Skopje–Dubai flights in April 2027, with three services a week, restoring a route that could support tourism and business travel.

Banking: North Macedonia has placed Alta Bank Bitola under temporary administration after its Serbian parent lost its licence. The move followed about €2 million in withdrawals; customers face a weekly withdrawal limit of roughly €160, while the central bank says the local bank remains liquid and well capitalised. Fraud Crackdown: A cross-border operation involving North Macedonia helped dismantle an investment-fraud network accused of running call centres and fake trading sites. Authorities arrested seven people and seized more than 100 servers; estimated losses exceed €4 million. Food Trade: Bulgaria rejected another 19.35 tonnes of North Macedonian apples after tests found pesticide residues above EU limits. A separate shipment of about 21 tonnes was also rejected last month. Green Investment: The EBRD and Green Climate Fund doubled concessional financing for the Green Cities programme to €174 million. North Macedonia is among 15 eligible countries, with support available for urban infrastructure and climate projects. Air Links: flydubai plans to restore direct Skopje–Dubai flights in spring 2027, with three weekly services expected to support tourism and business travel.

Aviation and Connectivity: flydubai plans to restore direct Skopje–Dubai flights in spring 2027, with three weekly services and onward connections through its Emirates partnership. Food Exports: Bulgaria rejected a 19.35-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests found pesticide residues above EU limits. It had also rejected a shipment of more than 21 tonnes the previous week over a banned pesticide. Banking: North Macedonia’s central bank placed Alta Bank Bitola under temporary administration after its Serbian parent lost its licence and entered bankruptcy proceedings. Governor Trajko Slaveski said the Bitola bank remains liquid, well capitalized and compliant with supervisory standards; about €2 million had been withdrawn, and potential buyers have expressed interest. Green Investment: The EBRD and Green Climate Fund doubled concessional financing for their Green Cities programme to €174 million, with North Macedonia among 15 eligible countries. The funding supports urban infrastructure, climate planning and access to green finance.

Banking: North Macedonia’s central bank placed Alta Bank Bitola under temporary administration after its Serbian parent lost its licence, saying the local bank remains liquid and well capitalized. About €2 million was withdrawn before the measure; the Serbian bank’s owner has since been arrested on suspicion of abusing his office. Connectivity: flydubai plans to restart Dubai–Skopje flights on April 1, 2027, with three weekly services and onward connections through its Emirates partnership. Trade and growth: The World Bank expects North Macedonia’s economy to grow a little above 3% in 2026, but warns that red tape and cross-border costs continue to hold back regional trade and jobs. Exports: Bulgarian authorities rejected a 21-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests found an EU-banned pesticide, sending the fruit back.

Banking: North Macedonia’s central bank has placed Alta Bank Bitola under temporary administration after about €2 million was withdrawn on Saturday, limiting customer withdrawals to 10,000 denars a week. Governor Trajko Slaveski said the bank remains liquid and well capitalized; the measures can last up to three months. The move follows Serbia’s revocation of Alta Bank’s licence, amid unverified allegations of cross-border transfers. Investment: North Macedonia is among nine countries included in a new Kunming Biodiversity Fund project batch worth about $4.5 million in total; the country’s allocation was not specified. Trade: Bulgaria rejected a 21-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests found a pesticide banned in the EU, returning the fruit and underscoring export-compliance risks. Growth and Jobs: The World Bank forecasts Western Balkans growth of 3.1% in 2026, with North Macedonia expected to grow just over 3%; high border and regulatory costs remain a drag on trade. A new ILO programme for 2026–30 aims to improve skills, job quality and women’s employment.

Banking: Serbia revoked Alta Bank’s license after its finances and liquidity deteriorated. The bank’s North Macedonian subsidiary says it is operating normally; allegations of transfers to Skopje and Moscow remain unverified and were not cited by Serbia’s central bank as grounds for the decision. North Macedonia’s central bank says it is supervising banks within its mandate. Agricultural Exports: Bulgaria turned back a 21-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests found an EU-banned pesticide, following an earlier rejection of peppers over excess residues. Growth and Trade: The World Bank forecasts Western Balkan growth of 3.1% in 2026, with North Macedonia expected to grow just over 3%. High regulatory and administrative costs still threaten to undercut trade, exports and job creation. Jobs: North Macedonia and the ILO signed a 2026–30 programme targeting skills gaps, labour shortages, informal work and low female participation, with better job quality linked to productivity. US Investment: ATS Group reported $170,000 in third-quarter US lobbying, including on manufacturing investment in North Macedonia; spending has stayed at that level since early 2025.

Banking Scrutiny: Serbia revoked Alta Bank’s license after finding its finances had significantly deteriorated, putting depositors at risk; insured-deposit payouts are expected to begin after bankruptcy proceedings start. Allegations that tens of millions of euros were transferred to North Macedonia and Russia remain unverified and were not cited by Serbia’s central bank. North Macedonia’s central bank says it supervises local banks within its legal powers. Trade: Bulgaria rejected 21 tonnes of North Macedonian apples after tests found an EU-banned pesticide, returning the shipment and highlighting compliance risks for exporters. Growth and Competitiveness: The World Bank expects Western Balkan growth of 3.1% in 2026, with North Macedonia forecast to grow a little above 3%; costly regulations and border procedures continue to weigh on trade and business. Jobs: A new 2026–30 programme with the International Labour Organization aims to improve skills, job quality and women’s employment, addressing labour shortages and productivity challenges. Telecoms: North Macedonia had 1.98 million active mobile connections in the second quarter, a slight rise from the previous quarter.

Cross-Border Banking: Serbia revoked ALTA Bank’s license on October 31, citing worsening finances and risks to depositors. The bank has a North Macedonian affiliate; alleged transfers to Skopje remain unverified, and North Macedonia’s central bank says it supervises banks within its legal mandate. Food Exports: Bulgaria rejected a 21-tonne shipment of North Macedonian apples after tests detected an EU-banned pesticide, following an earlier rejection of peppers. Growth and Trade: The World Bank expects North Macedonia’s economy to grow a little over 3% in 2026, but warns that regulatory costs and border procedures continue to hinder regional trade and competitiveness. Jobs and Connectivity: A new ILO programme for 2026–2030 aims to improve skills, job quality and women’s employment. Mobile connections reached 1.98 million in the second quarter, edging up from the previous quarter.