Corruption Perception Index 2009

According to the Transparency International Republic of Macedonia is on the 71st place in the Corruption Perception index Macedonia marked a mild shift of 0.2 index points at the Corruption Perception index list 2009 and ranked 71st, which is one spot up compared to 2008, Transparency International’s report announced on Tuesday. The research encompassed 180 countries and Macedonia follows Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. more...

Macedonia’s Credit Rating

Japan Credit Rating Agency JCR has issued a positive prognosis for Macedonia's credit rating, giving the country a BB+ with stable outlook. JCR has affirmed its BB+ rating on the foreign currency long-term senior debts and BBB-rating on the local currency long-term senior debts of the Republic of Macedonia. more...

Legatum Prosperity Index 2009

In London was published the third edition of the Legatum Prosperity Index, which ranks 104 countries (covering 90% of the world’s population), based on a definition of prosperity that combines economic growth together with measures of happiness and quality of life. Six of the top 10 countries in the 2009 Prosperity Index are located in Europe: Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. more...

EU Accession Negotiations

The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs proudly announces that the European Commission on October 14 2009 recommended that EU accession negotiations be opened with Macedonia. "Republic of Macedonia has made important progress and has substantially addressed the key accession partnership priorities. The Commission considers that the country sufficiently fulfils the political criteria set by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 and the Stabilization and Association Process and therefore has decided to recommend the opening of accession negotiations," the EC said in a report on the progress of would-be member states. It is also acknowledged that the country has moved closer towards becoming a functioning market economy and has made progress in a number of areas linked to its ability to take on the obligations of membership. In the light of these considerations and taking into account the European Council conclusions of December 2005 and December 2006, the Commission recommended opening of accession negotiations with Macedonia. The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs with its initiative, projects and activities implemented in the previous years significantly contributed to the process in Macedonia. Namely, OI through its projects actively worked on the acceleration of EU related reforms and the criteria given by the European Commission.

Standard and Poor's

Ratings agency Standards & Poor's Corp. lifted Macedonia's sovereign rating outlook to stable from negative, citing easing external pressures. S&P revised the outlook on Macedonia's credit ratings on improved external liquidity and has, at the same time, affirmed the ratings. At the same time as changing the outlook, the ratings agency maintained Macedonia's long-term foreign currency rating at BB. S&P affirmed the BB/B long- and short-term foreign currency and BB+/B local currency ratings. The transfer and convertibility assessment on Macedonia was affirmed at BB+, and the recovery rating on Macedonia's foreign currency debt remains '3'. more...

Doing Business 2010

The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs has the honor to announce the "Doing Business Index 2010" done by World Bank and the rankings of Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia stands out as among the best global reformers, while Bosnia and Herzegovina stubbornly maintains its last place amongst west Balkan countries when it comes to improving its business environment, the World Bank reports. Namely Republic of Macedonia takes 3rd plays in the list of top reformers, and in the list of Doing Business ranks on the 32nd position out of 183 countries. more...

Competitiveness Index 2009-2010

The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs has the honor to announce that the economy of Republic of Macedonia has improved its score in the list of the World Economic Forum and became more competitive. Namely, Republic of Macedonia has improved its rating, placing at the 84th spot out of 133 countries at the comparative list of most competitive economies in 2009-2010, done by World Economic Forum. more...

Freedom in the World 2009

Hong Kong is again first in the rankings of 141 nations and jurisdictions for economic freedom, according to a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s leading economic think tank. Honk Kong is followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Chile. The 2009 report is based on data from 2007, the most recent year for which comprehensive data are available. more...

Call for Internship

Aiming to build a network of young researchers from all over the world who have an interest in the Balkan (SEE) region and Republic of Macedonia, the OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs launched its internship program for the second year, providing an opportunity to visit, reside, work, be part of the Ohrid Institute team and conduct research in Macedonia and the wider region. The interns will conduct research and actively participating in the work of the OHRID Institute while also gaining hands-on experience of the region and skills in think-tank work. After the completion of their internship, interns remain part of OHRID Institute's community and future cooperation on various projects is encouraged. more...

Freedom House Report

The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs, Skopje has the honour to announce the new Index report published by the international non-government organization "Freedom House". According to "Freedom House" report the funding and political influence on media remained problematic in Macedonia. Freedom House also notes that weak judiciary and high-level corruption persist in countries in transition, including Macedonia. Macedonia's rating for independent media remains at 4.25. The media situation is particularly criticized given the fact that the country has the same rating since 2004, with no signs of improvement. more...

Policy Paper Promotion Report

On Wednesday, June 10th, the OHRID Institute hosted a book promotion for “Recommendation for development of the Road and Railway Infrastructure of Republic of Macedonia”. The Executive Director of the OHRID Institute, Ms. Biljana Janeva opened the book promotion to the public, where there were more then 200 people in attendance. The book’s success was visible through the attendance and popularity of the information and material covered. Media from all over Republic of Macedonia witnessed the event interviewed one of the book’s experts for one of the private television stations. more...

Policy Paper Promotion

The OHRID Institute for Economic Strategies and International Affairs would like cordially to invite you to the promotion of the Policy paper "Recommendation for the development of the road and railway infrastructure in Republic of Macedonia". The publication represents explicit expert research and analysis covering the area of the transport infrastructure in Republic of Macedonia. The authors of this policy papers are distinguished and well renowned experts and engineers Mr. Zoran Krakutovski, Mr. Ljupco Todorovski and Mr. Goran Mijoski. The promotion will be held on 10th of June, Wednesday, at the Hotel Holiday Inn at 12:00 hours in Millennium I. Please confirm your presence at info@oi.org.mk or by phone 02/ 322 44 57.