Macedonia2025 Annual Report 2015

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www.macedonia2025.com


Table of Contents

Page 1 ….........................................................Message from the Chairman, Robert Arsov Page 2 …………....................… Message from the Managing Director, Biljana Markovic Page 3i - 3iii......................................................................................About Macedonia 2025 Page 4…………….......................................................................................... Canadian Days Page 5 …………..........................…....................................................…...The Leader Project Page 6 …………..............................................................................….. Executive Study Tour Page 7 …………….......................................................................................….The ABLE Gala Page 8 -10 …………........................................................Business Forums and Roundtables Page 11 - 15 …………….................................................................Macedonia2025 Summit Page 16.....……....................................................…Macedonia2025 "Country Dashboard" Page 17,18 ………..........................................................................….. About John Bitove Sr. Page 20 …….….........................................…........................................... Financial Summary Page 21 ……...............................................................................................…. Call to Donate Page 22 …….......................................................................................Membership and Staff

Macedonia Economic Summit, Gala Networking Reception, November 19, 2015


Message from the Chairman

At Macedonia2025, our board members and staff are committed to leadership and excellence. Our organization provides tangible plans and programs to facilitate the evolution of Republic of Macedonia into a more competitive, dynamic, democratic and diverse economy with the ultimate goal for bettering the lives of its citizens as well as improving linkages and promoting success with and within our Macedonian Diaspora globally. At the core of our organization’s philosophy and goals is to focus our peoples on the future and bring an optimistic perspective on what can be accomplished if one is determined and disciplined to do so. By opening of our office in Skopje in 2011 we begun fully committing our resources on the ground and actively executing multiple programs promoting our organization’s mission. Consequently, within Macedonia and abroad the organization has become the face of the professional culture of the country and its people. The work that lies ahead demands from us to nourish this culture, improve it, expand it and bring it to the forefront of public life. We have taken on this challenge proactively by organizing events, facilitating networking and by leading the economic development discussion while continuing to seek new trajectories for improvement. Although our work is dedicated to Macedonia, our outreach is global. The organization's Board Members, the majority of which are located outside Macedonia, are working diligently to find ways how to best contribute to a healthy and sustained development of the country. We communicate and connect with Macedonians and friends of Macedonia around the world to locate supporters, investors and best-practices that we can transfer to specific fields and sectors in Macedonia. Most of the initiatives and events that we present in this report have come as result of great individuals working together as a team, for a common purpose. From the report you will see that 2015 was a milestone year for our organization including the velocity and number of programs we executed as well as ability to scale our fundraising initiatives globally. For that reason, I want to thank everyone who rose to the challenge and made contribution to Macedonia2025. I also want to encourage you to continue doing so in the future so that we can all rejoice in greater accomplishments in 2016 and in the future. 2

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Sincerely, Robert Arsov Chairman of the Board 1


Message from the Managing Director of Macedonia2025

Biljana Markovic

On behalf of Macedonia2025, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to our friends in Macedonia and around the globe for supporting our activities, participating in our events and donating towards our educational program. 2015 has opened a new chapter for our organization. We have transferred the headquarters to Macedonia and our local team has expanded. Together with our fully committed Board Members we’ve marked important accomplishments that we overview in the Annual Report. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our supporters. The main outcome was the positive energy that can drive new initiatives for the country’s economic growth. 2016 marks the beginning of a ten year period in which we need to unify our efforts in order to create a prosperous Macedonia. Regarding our future outlook, we will focus on: • Introduce “Think-and-do” tank activities by channeling experts’ knowledge to relevant audiences • Establishing a Talent Development Center supported by donors • Mapping out Diaspora professionals and investors and promoting success stories • Promoting best practices to stimulate development of key competitive sectors: IT&BPO outsourcing, R&D, organic agriculture, wellness and alternative/ rural tourism; • Promoting exports and supporting entrepreneurial activities We invite everyone who believes in a prosperous Macedonia to join us and support our mission of building a stronger nation. With sincere wishes and lots of love from Macedonia!

Sincerely, Biljana Markovic Managing Director

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About Macedonia 2025

Who we are: International, independent, nonpartisan, non-profit “think and do” tank, founded in 2007 by Macedonian expatriates who envision a proactive way of contributing to the economic and democratic development of Macedonia. With headquarters in Skopje and supporters around the globe, we encompass a wide array of programs that enable expatriates to give back to their homeland.

Our Vision We are dedicated to helping create a prosperous economic climate and a “stronger nation” that will improve opportunities for citizens, companies, and foreign investors. We promote sustainable economic growth through fostering competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovations and values-based leadership. 2

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About Macedonia 2025

Our Core Values Envision. Energize. Evolve. Excel. Ethical

We envision programs, advocacy and research facilitating creation of an advanced knowledge and transformation of Macedonia into a vibrant economy

We energize the Macedonian citizens, businesses, academia and Diaspora through collaboration, networking and social engagements

We evolve the leadership, managerial and entrepreneurial capacities of the Macedonian leaders of tomorrow globally through talent development programs

We excel in efficient execution of all programs and maximum leverage of our donors' support

We promote ethical approach to business as a fundamental pillar of a healthy and prosperous society

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About Macedonia 2025 Our strategy and major objectives: “Think” (provide independent perspectives, foster discussion, incite calls to action) and “Do” (execute programs, convene

key stakeholders, impact policy) in 5 major areas:

1.

Accelerate economic development

• Attract Foreign Investment • Support competitiveness of Macedonian companies and stimulate export development • Support the growth of entrepreneurs and start-up companies

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Implement education programs that accelerate leadership development and inspire and improve entrepreneurship in Macedonia

3.

Provide the Diaspora an opportunity to strengthen and improve linkages worldwide

4.

Advocate the ideals of transparent, democratic and inclusive society - good for the citizens, good for economic development, and good for the Country

5.

Maintain and help facilitate discussions on a ‘Country Dashboard’, to ensure broad progress on growth and quality of life is being made and headed in right direction 2

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs

Canadian Days in Skopje The event Canadian Days in Skopje featured 30 panelists from diverse backgrounds, who talked about trade and cooperation between Macedonia and Canada. Macedonian business professionals in Canada presented great insights about how companies can explore future cooperation with Canadian counterparts. The Canadian Days in Skopje discussed: • Recent trends in trade between Canada and Macedonia • Major challenges and factors for success • Sectors in which Macedonian companies can compete • Export-development and possibilities for trade partnerships • Experience of Macedonian companies in doing business in Canada • Insights into designing of market-specific products

Opening Speeches: Zoran Martinovski, Macedonia2025 Board Member; Philip Pinnington, Ambassador of Canada to Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro; Varshan Gokool, Chief Financial Officer, Euromax Resources; Jerry Naumoff, Macedonian FDI Minister

This organization is another example of successful cooperation between the Canadian government on the one side and the Macedonian Diaspora on the other. Macedonia2025 tries to help people get in touch and to help Macedonia, primarily by helping the country strengthen economically. 2

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Philip Pinnington, Ambassador of Canada to Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro 4


Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs

The Leader Project 200+ Alumni 8 Editions 32 Instructors

The LEADER Project is brought by Macedonia2025 in cooperation with the Richard Ivey Business School, Canada. This is a unique opportunity for young professionals and entrepreneurs from Macedonia to learn from MBA graduates and their instructors in the field of Business and Economics. The ten day course that takes place in Skopje is filled with interactive participation intended to impress upon the participants the essentials of doing business, such as branding a product, launching a product, developing a strategy, funding, turning an idea into a viable business and more. The participants come with their business idea or an initial plan for a new business, which during the course of the ten days is analyzed and developed into a solid blueprint. In the eight years of its implementation, the program has transfered business leadership and analytical skills to more than 200 participants, many of whom have landed better jobs or have opened their own businesses.

The biggest thing they learned is critical thinking and ways to structure their thoughts. They were guided to look at the way they currently do business, or the way they intend to do business, in ways they have never really thought of before, but upon reflection make sense. And it allows them - more than allows – it demands of them, putting numbers on things that before were just nebulous ideas. John Lazarou, Finance expert and Leader Project instructor in Macedonia

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs Executive Study Tour in Canada 2015

The Executive Study Tour took experienced business professionals from Macedonia on an international study experience to a number of venues in the Toronto area. The group visited companies, attended a networking event, connected with representatives of the Macedonian diaspora and took an executive education course at the Schulich School of Business. The program is intended for business executives, managers and experienced professionals from a broader range of sectors, who have at least 5 years of relevant managerial experience. On the study tour, the participants get a feel of the western business atmosphere during interactive visits with the participating companies. Some of the companies visited in 2015 were: Ronald Chisholm Ltd, Service Works Group, Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Honeywell, CSA Group, Conundrum Capital, Deloitte, Purpose Investments, Cross-Link Bridge Corp etc. As part of the tour, the group had the opportunity to attend a course at the Schulich Executive Education Center which was recently ranked by CNN in the top 20 business schools in the world. Thanks to our supporters, Macedonia2025 provides tuition fee waivers for the Macedonian business executives.

Ana Filipcheva, Product Manager at Alkaloid “The executive course that was part of the study tour in Toronto will have great impact on my personal and professional development and its implementation within my company. I feel more ready now to increase the number of those who will “follow” the idea of change.” 2

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs

The ABLE Gala: Celebrating Macedonian Arts, Business, Leadership and Education

Robert Arsov, Chairman, presents the Macedonia 2025 Founders Award to the Bitove family awarded to the late John Bitove Sr.

A lively exchange between Mike Zafirovski and former US President George W. Bush

The ABLE Gala was a monumental event that brought 400 Macedonians and their friends from Canada, the United States, Europe and Macedonia for a fundraising dinner. The Gala took place in Columbus, Ohio on September 26, 2015 and it was chaired by Vera Stavroff who invited the attendees to donate to the educational fund that will help the best minds of Macedonia to attend the best business schools in North America. Many will agree that education is the best road to take towards a better future for Macedonia. There must be a substantial number of people who will be on par with their European and North American peers. The beneficiaries of the fund will be those who are going to drive forward the economy of the country, who will spearhead complex processes and who will cooperate on a higher level with counterparts from all over the world. At the Gala the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Nikola Gruevski presented the 43rd President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush with the Macedonian Medal of Honor for his and his administration's contribution to the safety, prosperity and well-being of Macedonia. Another great person was decorated with the Macedonia 2025 Founders Award posthumously- the late John Bitove, who has made enormous contributions to the Macedonian nation and advocated for an independent Macedonian Republic. The Gala raised 1 million dollars for the Macedonia2025 Education Fund. Macedonia2025 would like to thank all the people, families, companies and institutions who supported this unprecedented effort.

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs Business Forums, Roundtables and Networking Events ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Mapping-out Future Prospects for Macedonian Exports • Macedonian Diaspora is crucial for first introduction of a product to a new market • To attract repetitive buyers we need premium quality, the competitive prize and the edgy design • Macedonia has to build a globally recognizable brand by businesses, institutions and the professional diaspora acting in synergy. Hosts: Vera Stavroff, President and CEO of HerbalScience & Zhivko Mukaetov, CEO and President of the MB of Alkaloid AD Skopje

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Doing Business in Russia – Tips for Macedonian Producers • Producers who can offer volume have a serious chance to enter the Russian market • Russian consumers have appetite for quality food, wine and clothes. Macedonian products that maintain high standards can find their place in stores • Speaking the language opens many doors and a formal introduction is the best way to start communicating with a potential partner Host: Lou Naumovski, Vicepresident and Director General of the Moscow Office of the Kinross Gold Corporation, Canada Business Forum in Paris The Business Forum in Paris was organized to present investment opportunities in Macedonia and to encourage networking between professionals from Macedonia living in European countries. Many business professionals of Macedonian origin engaged to bring Macedonian companies closer to the markets in the rest of Europe. The Paris Business Forum attracted around 100 entrepreneurs from France, Switzerland, Germany and other countries and resulted in subsequent business meetings between companies. Host: Robert Arsov, Macedonia2025 Chairman 2

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs Business Forums, Roundtables and Networking Events Roundtable Discussion on FDI strategy In May we organized a roundtable meeting between Mike Zafirovski and representatives of several foreign investments in Macedonia and government representatives to outline the advantages and areas of improvement in Macedonia’s strategy in attracting foreign direct investments.

Networking Reception in Toronto In July we organized a Networking Reception in Toronto that introduced the representatives of Macedonian companies who were a part of the Executive Tour in Toronto to Canadian-Macedonian professionals and business owners. The attendees discussed cooperation and what opportunities are found on the Canadian market. Some of the attendees presented their investments in Macedonia and encouraged Canadian-Macedonians to explore similar opportunities.

Networking Event with Mike Zafirovski We hosted a networking event for the forty participants of the LEADER Project, the program's alumni and for representatives of Macedonian companies and FDI’s. Macedonia2025 co-founder Mike Zafirovski gave a speech in which he thanked those who support the organization and encouraged the participants in the educational programs to continue working, innovating and giving back to Macedonia.

Networking Events in Skopje We hosted several networking receptions to express our gratitude to the donors and partners. Thanks to their support we were able to organize the educational programs and events in 2015.

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Macedonia2025 Activities & Programs Leadership Series Entrepreneurship Competition "Get in the Ring" At the pitching contest hosted by our Board member Chris Pavlovski, we saw the next generation of Macedonian business leaders and innovators. Seven teams of high school students made convincing presentations of business ideas in front of an international jury that might well be in business now.

Pre-Summit Leadership Talks Our effort to include more young people in the economic development conversation resulted in a free event which attracted 400 students, young professionals and entrepreneurs. What made the Leadership Talks really stand out was the group of ten exceptional speakers- half of them were young professionals who had made notable achievements and the other half were career executives, managers and advisers such as Mike Zafirovski and Dr. Ichak Adizes. Leadership Series: “Re-engineering the Organization through Innovation and Entrepreneurship�

Professor Mile Terziovski, Dean of the Curtin Graduate School of Business in Perth presented a lecture with crucial insights on success, employment, education and entrepreneurship, attended by sixty students and young entrepreneurs.

Climb with the leaders

Our keynote speaker Harry Kraemer, members of the MK2025 Board and a number of speakers and participants went straight for the top of mount Vodno the day following the Summit. 2

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Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 Overview of the Summit The Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 achieved its goal of becoming a leading regional platform for sharing knowledge and inspiring business cooperation. The eight panel discussions provided valuable insights for individuals and companies in a number of areas that are highly relevant to economic development. Experts talked about how companies and sectors can improve competitiveness through best practices, values-based leadership, cultural transformation, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. The Summit also identified and put into perspective key regional challenges: education of workforce, infrastructure, financial markets development, technological readiness, business sophistication, innovation. One of the main topics of discussion was the prospect of broader economic integration between countries in Southeast Europe, as a way to achieve better growth for the region. Competitive sectors identified as key drivers of economic growth: • Organic food production • Renewable energies and energy efficiency • Hospitality and medical tourism • Construction, infrastructure and mining • Smart industries, Business process outsourcing and Mobile • Localized manufacturing of value-added designed products

A panel of globally successful entrepreneurs discussed the opportunities found on the Internet that enable savvy people to generate profits which can be a great opportunity for young people in Macedonia to compete on the global markets. The IT sector can get a good practice in developing smart apps that can be distributed globally. The speakers also presented buzz words that open new chapters in the world of advanced technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, predictive analytics and digital transformation. Harry Kraemer, Professor at the Kellogg School of Management and a widely cited author on leadership, delivered a speech on leadership development that is based on a set of clearly-defined values and he pefectly cocluded the Summit by signing more than 250 copies of his latest bestselling book: Becoming the best: Build a World-Class Organization through Values-Based Leadership.

This Summit generated three main achievements: • Macedonia has more friends globally • The region has great prospects and talents, but needs to integrate • The Diaspora is inspired to give back to their homeland

The Summit was supported by 13 organizations, 14 media outlets and 27 sponsors

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Republic of Georgia’s former Prime Minister Nika Gilauri talks about his country’s rapid transformation

Tilman Tacke, Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company gives an optimistic overview of Macedonia’s economy according to empiric data.


Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 Summit Takeaways Global Trends and their Impact on Southeast Europe: • Decrease in corruption in Georgia lead to the creation of world-class business environment. • There is sustained growth in Central and East Europe and quite few banks backpedal from the region • The financing needs of the Macedonian government for 2016 have been met. Foreign banks account for 90 percent of total banking assets • Key challenges to sustaining growth in SEE: Education of workforce, infrastructure, development of financial markets, technological readiness Building transformative sectors in Southeast Europe: • Companies in SEE need to build competence and credibility as the starting points for success and international cooperation • Experience accelerates growth and impact – tap diaspora to ‘seed’ companies with experienced overseas talent • Increased competition spurs innovation and improvement – necessary for having dynamic sector

Dan Braga, Formerly McKinsey & Company, USA CONGRATULATIONS to the Macedonia2025 team for such an amazing and world-class conference. I am so incredibly impressed, and feel so inspired and energized.

89% Satisfied 87% Satisfied with the Panel with attendees profile sessions 95% Would recommend the Summit to peers

Transforming the culture in Southeast Europe: • The culture needs to focus on the mind-set – beliefs drive behavior and impact performance • Positive, energetic, can-do culture is probably more important than vision or strategy. • Countries need to inspire adoption of cultural traits that give good results Entrepreneurs who Build from Zero to Fortunes: • It is very possible to start an online business with $50 US and develop that into a source of good income • The IT sector in Macedonia offers creative, on the spot thinking and problem solving. • The time diftference between North America and Macedonia allows ICT companies to have an effective 24 hour work cycle

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Macedonia Economic Summit 2015

Innovation and Technology: • Strong companies and state institutions need to invest in research and implementation of Big Data technology because it makes things a lot easier • The customer of today wants to pay for a journey, not just a product or service. Companies need to get closer to the individual customer Emerging Competitive Sectors in Macedonia: • Organic production is the next competitive sector of Macedonia. Everything is in place for it to happen • Follow the Nation Brand hexagon to develop a strong tourism sector in Macedonia

300 Participants

Gazmend Kadriu, CEO at Union Bank, Albania

400 Free participants at Leadership Talks

Congratulations on the successful organization of this year’s Macedonia2025 Summit. It was a well-organized, massive and world class event. Thank you for the opportunity to meet so many nice people. The summit has achieved it purpose, it was useful, it initiated a new way of thinking, and I hope that new actions will follow”

38 Speakers from 17 countries

Transforming Macedonia into a Hub for Smart Industries: • Companies are desperate to spend money on competitive advantage. Macedonia can develop competitive advantage in IT and BPO with a strong push in education/ in-demand skill development • Mobile will play an even more important role in how we interact, in how we get our food, in how we optimize production and how we save. Macedonian developers need to build services that connect more stakeholders towards a specific necessity Values-Based Leadership for Building Inclusive Societies: • Leadership is about bringing the best out of people and making things better for everyone. The world needs more values-based leaders • Leaders show the way, teach from experience. Macedonia has great leaders in the Diaspora that need to come more often and transfer their knowledge to an increasingly eager audience This Summit generated three main achievements: • Macedonia has more friends globally • The region has great prospects and talents, but needs to integrate • The Diaspora is inspired to give back to their homeland 2

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Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 The Summit in numbers • 300 participants at the official Summit days • Additional 400 students and young entrepreneurs at the free Leadership Talks event • 8 panel discussions featuring 38 speakers coming from more than 17 countries, including Albania, Austria, Australia, Hong Kong, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States • Sectors represented: finance and banking, consumer electronics, IT, tourism, mobile, agriculture, management and health • Gala reception with 300+ guests • A community-outreach event Climb with the Leaders to mount Vodno, attended by 80 participants • Supported by 13 organizations, 14 media outlets and 27 sponsors • 15 interviews with Summit speakers prior to the Summit for printed and online media • 22.5% response rate from the post Summit survey Reasons why people attended the Summit: • 75% for networking • 55% to explore new business opportunities • 68% were interested in the panel discussions • 52% to support the organization Other relevant statistical data: • 89% of the attendees were satisfied with the Panel sessions • 81% found the topics relevant • 71% are very satisfied with the overall impact of the Summit • 87% were satisfied with the profile of the attendees • 95% of the respondents said they were Satisfied with the Summit • 95% of the respondents would recommend the Summit to peers

Mitko Andonov, Sales Manager at Kolid S Team The Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 was such an extraordinary experience, mind opening and motivating. Throughout the whole summit, there was such a positive energy floating around, forecasting a brighter, better future Macedonia. Being with people that don’t waste their precious time on political, religious or any other over abused subjects, makes You wonder if it is possible for such a perfect thing to exist!? Macedonia 2025 shows us the reason for all of us, to wake up in the morning and ask ourselves “are we those guys”? Can we really make the difference? ‘Cause at the end…we really should! If we wish to change the world, we “have to be the change we wish to see in the world”, therefore in Macedonia, too.


Macedonia Economic Summit 2015 Conversation on Values-based Leadership The Macedonia Economic Summit was concluded with a discussion that lasted well over two hours and resulted in more questions from the audience than our time allowed. Our keynote speaker, Harry Kraemer, delivered a remarkable speech on the topic “Values-based leadership� on which he has written two bestselling books and held hundreds of lectures throughout the world. Mr. Kraemer is the former CEO of a multi-billion dollar company and a Professor at the Kellogg School of Management. His lectures have inspired many young leaders who are shaping the world today and he regularly mentors business executives throughout the United States. Following the speech, Mr. Kraemer and Mike Zafirovski had a highly-engaging conversation of poignant questions and insightful answers that created a studious atmosphere in the room.

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Harry Kraemer, Professor at the Kellogg School of Management and a widely cited author on leadership, delivered a speech on leadership development that is based on a set of clearly-defined values. The session with Mr. Kraemer was concluded with his signing of more than 250 copies of his latest bestselling book, Becoming the best: Build a World-Class Organization through Values-Based Leadership which Macedonia2025 provided as a gift to all summit participants. 16


Macedonia Country Dashboard

In September 2015, Macedonia2025 announced an initiative to track the progress of Macedonia through a number of economic and non-economic measures. The Macedonia Country Dashboard was shaped through extensive cooperation with a diverse group of experts from the Economic Development Boards of Singapore, Turkey, McKinsey & Company and in consultation with the former Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri. Our vision was to take the additional step toward defining what we mean by “a stronger nation,” through creating a balanced dashboard that will set aspirational yet achievable targets for Macedonia in 2025, grounded in benchmarks of peer nations. The dashboard identifies 34 peer group counties and draws on a large number of globally recognized metrics such as the World Economic Forum’s (Annual Competitiveness Report), The Freedom House, Transparency International, Education Quality PISA score, World Bank’s Report on Ease of Doing Business, etc. In the time ahead, a core group of experts will maintain and facilitate discussions around the Country Dashboard, to monitor broad progress on growth and quality of life. The Dashboard and the articles related to the country progress will be available publicly for the consideration of government officials, experts and academics. We believe that these metrics will resonates with the Macedonian business community and the government officials and would serve as an important communication tool for many stakeholders in Macedonia. The Dashboard plugs-in metrics such as GDP Growth, FDI as percentage of GDP, Credit Rating, Ease of Doing Business, Net Exports, Unemployment, Corruption Index and an inventory of other measures. Within the selected peer group of countries, in 2015 Macedonia ranks 11th of 34 (2nd quartile). We believe that this is a good ranking considering the external economic circumstances, but there is a space for improvements. Please see the chart below for reference on the potential target or visit our website for more details. The country progress update will be published annually.

GROWTH

Potential Target:

Future rank Peer Group:

GDP Growth % 5-year average

4-5%

Top quartile

GDP per capita

>$10,000

Top quartile

Unemployment Rate

<12%

3rd quartile

Net Exports (% of GDP)

>-10%

Top half

Gov’t Spending (% of GDP)

~20%

Top quartile

Credit Rating

BBB

FDI (% of GDP)

>5%

ENABLERS OF GROWTH

Future rank Peer Group:

Education Quality PISA score

Top quartile

Investment

#1 of peer group?

R&D/Innovation

Top quartile

Democratic Freedom

Top half

Corruption Index

Top quartile

Top quartile

Ease of doing Business

Top quartile

Top quartile

Environment/ Air Quality

Top half

Rapidly prosperous EU and NATO member



John Bitove Sr. Macedonia2025 Founder Our organization was first conceived in the mind of Macedonian-Canadian businessman John Bitove Sr. Besides being a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Bitove was also a philanthropist in his community in Toronto, as well as an advocate for human rights for Macedonians in the Balkans. In his efforts to help the Republic of Macedonia and unite Macedonians for the cause of economic and social progress, John Bitove communicated his idea to other successful Macedonians about starting an organization that will bring a western perspective in doing business. His vision has come to life. Today Macedonia2025 is operating from Macedonia and is working to connect the country with Macedonians and their friends from around the world. Mr. Bitove left this world on July 30, 2015 and left a legacy that is succeeded by Macedonians who have always seen an inspiration in his work and achievements. "John Bitove Sr. was a caring father, a mentor and an inspiration to so many people, including myself. We are forever indebted to him for founding Macedonia2025 through which we can accomplish great things for Macedonia and fulfill his vision. For me John Bitove Sr. is the greatest Macedonian ever and our organization would cherish and remember his legacy forever. " Robert Arsov, Chairman of Macedonia 2025


John Bitove Sr. Macedonia2025 Founder

About John

Bitove

John Bitove was a Canadian businessman of Macedonian origin. He was born in Toronto in 1928 to Nikola and Vana, who came from the Macedonian village Gabresh located in today’s province of Western Macedonia in Greece. Growing up in a family that carried the scars of persecution had impressed in John Bitove a sense of patriotism for Macedonia and deep love for the Macedonian people. This love became the force that compelled John to dedicate his life to his beliefs and ideals of helping Macedonia and Macedonians across the globe. It was his strong will that enabled him to grow into a successful businessman. John Bitove was one of the few Macedonian heroes of the modern day. He believed in freedom, justice and the ability for all Macedonians to enjoy basic human rights in the states across the Balkans. He donated funds to many organizations helping Macedonians in need. A number of Christian churches have been built thanks to his support- most recently the Saint Mother of God in Cambridge and St. Elijah in Mississauga in Canada. John Bitove was also a strong believer in education, which compelled him to initiate the learning of the Macedonian language at the University of Toronto. Mr. Bitove has provided scholarships to exceptional students of Macedonian origin in North America. John Bitove initiated the idea that the Macedonian Diaspora should have an organization of professionals that will work to promote economic development in Macedonia. This resulted in the founding of Macedonia2025 by his son John I. Bitove (Jr.), Mike Zafirovski, Mitre Kutanovski and other notable Macedonians in the diaspora. The organization grew to become the foremost entity of Macedonian professionals from all over the world who are doing their part in helping Macedonia become a better and economically stronger country. John Bitove proudly served as an Honorary Member of Macedonia2025. His dream that one day there would again be a country for the Macedonians - has become reality. His help in this achievement and his help for Macedonians is the legacy that he left behind, and he will be dearly missed. John Bitove has received numerous awards and recognitions. He was decorated with Canada’s highest civilian award, The Order of Canada, as well as the “September 8th Medal of Honor,” the highest merit awarded by H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia. My vision is that all Macedonians must respect each other! What we do for others remains immortal

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Financial Summary

Macedonia2025 Financial Summary

For year ended 12/31/2015

USD 736,534

A) Net Income from fundraising activities B) Operating activities 1 Income from operating activities a. Membership Dues * b. Corporate Partnerships c. Grants Total income from operating activities 2 Expenses allocated to operating activities a. Administrative b. Education Programs c. Economic Development Programs d. Fundraising e. Nonrecurring ** Total expenses from operating activities Net income from operating activities Total Net Income *

194,145 58,840 30,780 283,765 24,122 64,639 79,345 16,081 43,058 227,245 56,521 793,055

* Membership Dues include $100,000 of accrued revenue from calendar year 2014 ** Nonrecurring expenses include residual expenses related to the closing of the Canada oďŹƒce

Breakdown of Expenses

Breakdown of Revenues Corporate Partnerships 4%

Grants 2%

Donations 80%

Membership Dues 14%

Administritive Education / Economic Development Programs Fundraising * The chart excludes nonrecurring expenses


CALL TO DONATE To sustain the country that represents our culture and to help it realize its potentials, Macedonia needs all the help and care that Macedonians around the world can give it. There are enough people to make a true difference and now is a crucial time to aim for serious achievements. Our organization is focused on business and education because we believe that these are the forces that drive development. Our focus is business, not politics and our goal is the wellbeing of all the people in the country. Macedonia has the potential to develop in the most positive ways and make us all proud for being Macedonian, regardless where we are located in the globalized world of today.

WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUTE TO OUR EDUCATION DONORS 2015 PREMIUM DONOR LIST (Above $5000) The Zafirovski Family The Bitove Family Foundation Blackstone Charitable Foundation Blackstone Group LP Lbrands International Brent and Caroline Stone Confie Seguros Figueroa Family Foundation McKinsey & Company TracFone Wireless, Inc. The Stavroff Family/ Herbal Science, LLC Blake, Cassels &Graydon LLP Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Alkaloid USA Chapman and Cutler LLP Galvin Family Foundation FedEx Harry M. Jansen Kramer Jr. Gluskin Sheff and Associates Inc. Nick Kaiser, Marlin Equity Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Plaskolite, Inc. / DGD Group The Crown Family Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) CEO AMERICAS The Ohio State University The Arsov Family General Electric Company (GE) The Pavlovski Family The Kutanovski Family Invemed Associates LLC Amphenol Capri Investment Group Mark and Maureen Miller Family Foundation Ventana Charitable Foundation Dennis Carey Harry Pearce

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2015 CORPORATE PARTNERS, SUMMIT SPONSORS AND IN-KIND DONORS Euromax Resources Alkaloid AD Skopje Cosmic Development McCann Skopje SEAF Kemet Johnson Matthey Tikves Winery Austrian Airlines Ohridska Banka VSD Merkur Zavar Telekom Portline Interspace SAP Project Hope MyPrint Vitalia Healthy Food Mama’s Sunday Specijal Jabolcelo Nelt ST Ladna Vajomag

In 2015 Macedonia2025 continued its support for the Metodi Patche School of Music from Ohrid by sponsoring an event that took place in the beautiful village Trpejca on the shore of Lake Ohrid. In 2013 we donated $5300 to the school so it could buy new instruments for its exceptional young talents.

Joe Greaney, Director of WESBIC Ireland “A lot of the Irish people who emigrated to America, England, Australia sent money back to educate the next generation. People took a big interest in that. This was paid off in time.” John I Bitove Jr., Co-founder of Macedonia2025 “The people of Macedonia are hard working, honest and skilled - a recipe for economic success.”


DONATE NOW! 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS GO TO OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS! Macedonia2025 is focusing a significant part of its efforts on education. We believe that good education is the force that drives development. This is why 100% of our funds are directed towards business education programs for young professionals, entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders. These programs transfer the leadership skills and the know-how that are essential in driving sustainable performance and growth in domestic companies. We encourage you to support our Education Fund by making a Donation. All funds go towards existing educational programs such as the following: • The Leader Project • Executive Scholarships at North American Universities • Entrepreneurship Development Program • Leadership Series • Mentorship and internship programs • Summer Business Camp We sincerely appreciate all your donations and contributions! To place a secure online donation please visit:

www.macedonia2025.com. Macedonian Global Professionals Network – www.gpn.mk The Macedonian Global Professionals Network is online platform that allows people from all over the world to initiate, organize and participate in grassroots development activities in Macedonia. The development of the platform was supported by the Canadian Fund through the Canadian Embassy in Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro. We initiated the platform in order to provide the first online space dedicated to grassroots-led crowd-funded causes in Macedonia. People can engage through the platform and propose a project or donate to a project that is already up. GPN.mk makes it easy for anyone to do a small act of kindness such as buy musical instruments for an elementary school, fix a water pump in the countryside or donate books to a school or library. Participants can discuss business, development and education, propose a project, invite their friends to donate to Macedonia2025 and mark that donation for a specific cause. The engagement with GPN doesn’t start nor end there. We encourage participants to contribute with an independent analysis or paper that can be used as a resource in the developing a better outlook for Macedonia. We invite all people of Macedonian origin and friends of Macedonia to join GPN.mk. Joining the platform is safe and easy- anyone can log in using their LinkedIn or create a new profile. Join us at www.gpn.mk


2015 Membership and Staff Board Members

Leaders Club

Robert Arsov, Chairman Vera Stavroff, Vice Chairwoman Mike Zafirovski, Co-founder John I. Bitove, Co-founder Mitre Kutanovski, Co-founder Zoran Martinovski Zhivko Mukaetov Jim Nikopoulos Chris Pavlovski Igor Popovski Peter Simeon

Miodrag Arsov Michael Cklamovski Lidija Gjorgjievska Borche Ilioski Dijana Indovski Pero Jolevski Nikola Kjurchiski Vladimir Kotevski Dejan Leskaroski Dimitar Morarcaliev Emil Matevski Goran Pejkoski Filip Popov Vladimir Robevski Kiril Savovski Ana Shukrieva-Filipcheva Aleksandar Stamboliev Robert Traykoski Matt Zafirovski

Honorary Board John Bitove Sr. (1928 – 2015) Vladimir Dimovski Guido Galleni Emil Hristov Zoran Jolevski Susan Niczowski Jerry Naumoff Lou Naumovski Kamran Ozair Steve Sharpe Mile Terziovski Jatin Thakrar Slavica Waite

Staff Biljana Markovic, Managing Director Jordanka Kacarska, Program Manager Martin Anastasovski, Communications Officer Vase Georgievska, Finance Officer Elena Zurkova, Program Assistant Maja Staleska, Program Assistant



www.macedonia2025.com St. Belasica No.2 1030 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Email: office@macedonia2025.com Phone: +389 (02) 3218 631


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