G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
24 February  2020 
(20-1408) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original:  English  
 
  
SUBSIDIES  
NEW AND FULL NOTIFIC ATION PURSUANT TO AR TICLE  XVI:1 OF  
THE GATT  1994 AND ARTICLE  25 OF THE AGREEMENT ON 
SUBSIDIES AND COUNTE RVAILING MEASURES  
NORTH MACEDONIA  
Supplement  
The following communication, dated 13 February  2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Republic of North Macedonia . 
 
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In accordance with Article 25 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and in  
response to the document G/SCM/N/220/MKD, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia 
notifies the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures data supplied by the authority in 
charge of the subsidy, as related in programs financed by the Sta te Budget for 2020. The notification 
covers programs in the following categories: support and development of micro, small and medium 
sized enterprises and crafts, implementation of the industrial policy, support and development of 
the cluster association, social responsibility, support of self -employment, vaucher system for 
consultation and system for standardized mentoring services. The notification provided in this 
notification is for transparency purposes. The amount of support is shown in Macedonian Den ars 
(MKD).  
A. SUPPORT AND DEVELOPM ENT OF SMALL AND MED IUM SIZED ENTERPRISE S AND 
CRAFTS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if relevant, or brief description or identification of the subsidy  
"Programs for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 ". 
2. Period covered by the notification  
2020. 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
The support is given for:  
1. Support and development of entrepreneurship and SMEs:  
1.1 Support in procurement of equipment and tools  
1.2 Support for improvement of the value chains  
1.3 Support of entrepreneurs specializing in scientific research related to f ounding of fab -
labs 
1.4 Support for female entrepreneurship  G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  1.5 Projects for development and support of MSMs and promotion of entreprenourship in 
the country  
2. Development and support of internationalization of SMEs:  
2.1 Certification of quality system according to ISO standards  
2.2 Certification of HALAL system  
2.3 Participation at domestic and international fairs  
3. Development and support of crafts : 
3.1 Projects of the Chambers of Crafts for development and promotion of the crafts  
3.2 Purchase of equipment and tools; arrangements and improvement of the business 
premises to artisans  
4. Support for vocational training : 
4.1 Purchase of equipment, instruments and tools to be used for training, teaching of 
persons for acquiring skills and qualifications to private enterprises accr edited by the 
Center for Adult Education  
4.2 Education of the employees in MSMEs  
5. Study for draft -sustainable model of services for business development of MSME  
4. Background and authority  for the subsidy (including identificationa of the legislationa under which it is 
granted ) 
Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 is published in the Official 
Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No.277/2019. Authority  responsible for the subsidy: 
Ministry of Economy.  
The procedure for allocation of funds are carried out by launching public calls on the web -site of the 
Ministry of Economy  
www. economy.gov.mk;  
www.konkurentnost.mk.  
5. Form of the subsidy (i.e. grant, loan , tax concession, etc. ) 
The subsidy is granted in the form of grant.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided (whether to producers, to exporters, or others: through 
what mechanism: whether a fixed or fluctuating amount per unit: if the latter, how determined ) 
The support is given in the form of compensation of part of the expenses of the companies and 
associations -applicants. The Ministry of Economy compensates the following by items:  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 300.000 MKD f or each company for 
item 1.1;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 200.000 MKD for each company for 
item 1.2;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 120.000 MKD for each company for 
item 1.4;  
‐ 75 percent of documented expenses bu t not more than 150.000 MKD for each company for 
item 1.5;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 100.000 MKD for each company for 
item 2.1;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 200.000 MKD for each company for 
item 2.2;  
‐ 50 perc ent of documented expenses but not more than 50.000 MKD for each company for 
item 2.3;  
‐ 75 percent of documented expenses but not more than 250.000 MKD for each company for 
item 3.1;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 180.000 MKD for each c ompany for 
item 3.3;  G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  ‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 250.000 MKD for each company for 
item 4.1;  
‐ 50 percent of documented expenses but not more than 200.000 MKD for each company for 
item 4.2;  
7. Subsidy per unit or in cases where this is no t possible, the total amount or the annual amount budgeted 
for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the average subsidy per unit in the previous year). Where 
provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the notification, for the pre vious 
year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation  
The annual amount budgeted for the subsidy is 34.740.000 MKD allocated by items:  
1. Support and development of entrepreneurship and SMEs – 21.500.000 MKD;  
2. Development and support of internationalization  of SMEs – 4.000.000 MKD;  
3. Development and support of crafts – 6.540.000 MKD;  
4. Support for vocational training – 1.700.000 MKD;  
5. Study for draft -sustainable model of services for business development of MSME – 
1.000.000  MKD;  
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits attached to it, including date of 
inception/commencement  
One year – 2020. 
9. Statistical data  
Such statistical  data on trade effects of the Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and 
Entrepreneurship for 2020 are not available. The subsidy is given mostly to small and medium sized 
companies and associations, and there is a very small effect on trade.  
B. IMPLEMENTAT ION OF INDUSTRIAL PO LICY  
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if relevant, or brief description or identification of the subsidy  
"Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 ". 
2. Period covered by the notification  
2020. 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
The support is given for:  
1. Support for increasing the competitiveness of the manufacturing enterprises by 
reimbursement of part of expenses, for:  
1.1. Preparation of technical documentation for new product, improvement of existing 
product and/or preparation of industrial design/redesign of the product;  
1.2. Develop market research studies and/or marketing strategy and/or brand 
development activities;  
1.3. Procurement, implementation, certification and training of standards in the fie ld of: 
horizontal standards (MKC EN ISO 50001; MKC EN ISO 14001; MKC EN ISO 45001; 
MKC EN ISO 31000); harmonized and other standards and standardization documents 
in the field of processing industry;  
1.4. Expert support for development/implementation of  projec t  for optimization of 
production;  
1.5. Development and implementation of projects for digital transformation of enterprises 
in processing industry;  
1.6. Expert analysis and preparation of technical -project documentation or technical 
feasibility study for: planned i nvestment projects, preparation of the company to 
increase energy efficiency, introduction of the concept of circular economy; and  G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  1.7. Preparation of project documentation for installation of photovoltaic panels for 
generation of electricity from renewable ene rgy sources.  
2. Organizing specialized trainings – in-depth and detailed technological trainings for the 
processing industry, in: automotive, textile, food and metal processing industry, leather and 
shoe industry; then in the concept of "greening" in several selected sectors of the processing 
industry, an d in the circular economy.  
3. Reimbursement of part of the expenses to entities for accreditation of laboratories or 
extension of the scope in accreditation of existing laboratories for testing of construction 
products;  
4. Background and authority for the subsid y (including identificationa of the legislationa under 
which it is granted ) 
Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 is published in the Official 
Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No.277/2019. Authority responsible fo r the subsidy: 
Ministry of Economy.  
The procedure for allocation of funds are carried out by launching public calls on the web -site of the 
Ministry of Economy  
www. economy.gov.mk;  
www.konkurentnost.mk.  
5. Form of the subsidy (i.e. grant, loan, tax concessio n, etc. ) 
The subsidy is granted in the form of grant.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided (whether to producers, to exporters, or others: 
through what mechanism: whether a fixed or fluctuating amount per unit: if the latter, how 
determined ) 
The Ministr y of Economy compensates 75 percent of documented expenses but not more than 
300.000 MKD for each business entity for items 6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4; 6.5; 6.6; 6.7;  then 75 percent 
of documented expenses for organizing specialized trainings - in-depth and detai led technological 
trainings for the processing industry, in: automotive, textile, food and metal processing industry, 
leather and shoe industry; then in the concept of "greening" in several selected sectors of the 
processing industry, and in the circular e conomy for item 7 and 50 percent of documented expenses 
but not more than 300.000 MKD for each business entity for item 8 .  
7. Subsidy per unit or in cases where this is not possible, the total amount or the annual amount 
budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the average subsidy per unit in the previous 
year). Where provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the notification, 
for the previous year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation  
The annual amount b udgeted for the subsidy is 7.200.000 MKD allocated by items:  
1. Support for increasing the competitiveness of the manufacturing enterprises – 
4.500.000  MKD;  
2. Organizing specialized trainings – in-depth and detailed technological trainings for the 
processing in dustry, in: automotive, textile, food and metal processing industry, leather and 
shoe industry; then in the concept of "greening" in several selected sectors of the processing 
industry, and in the circular economy – 1.200.000 MKD;  
3. Reimbursement of part of the expenses to entities for accreditation of laboratories or 
extension of the scope in accreditation of existing laboratories for testing of construction 
products – 1.500.000 MKD . 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits attached to it, includ ing date of 
inception/commencement  
One year – 2020. G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  9. Statistical data  
Such statistical data on trade effects of the Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and 
Entrepreneurship for 2020 is not available.  
C. SUPPORT  AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUSTER ASSOCIATION   
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if relevant, or brief description or identification of the subsidy   
"Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 ". 
2. Period covered by the notification  
2020. 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
The support is given for:  
1. Support and development of cluster association "Clusters for innovative and international 
oriented business " 
‐ purchase of specific equipment or technological solutions,  
‐ cluster collaboration with Universities and/or collaboration  among clusters,  
‐ development of brand strategy and brand products within the frames of the cluster,  
‐ joint innovative projects of development related to research and development of new or 
improved produc ts, processes or services,  
‐ improvement of the clusters and their members thru hiring of consultants, organizing of 
specialized trainings, workshops and seminars for exchange of knowledge, and  
‐ promotion activities for clusters (organizing and participation  business events - as fairs, B2B 
meetings, trade and media missions, etc.).  
4. Background and authority for the subsidy (including identificationa of the legislationa under 
which it is granted ) 
Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 is published in the Official 
Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No.277/2019. Authority responsible for the subsidy: 
Ministry of Economy.  
The procedure for allocation of funds are carried out by launching public calls on the web -site of the 
Ministry of Economy  
www. economy.gov.mk;  
www.konkurentnost.mk.  
5. Form of the subsidy (i.e. grant, loan, tax concession, etc. ) 
The subsidy is granted in the form of grant.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided (whether to producers, to exporters, or others: 
through what mechanism: whether a fixed or fluctuating amount per unit: if the latter, how 
determined ) 
The Ministry of Economy compensates 75 percent of the project but not more than 1.000.000 MKD 
for each applicant individually per application, only for o ne request from the listed activities.  
7. Subsidy per unit or in cases where this is not possible, the total amount or the annual amount 
budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the average subsidy per unit in the previous 
year). Where provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the notification, 
for the previous year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation  G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  The annual amount budgeted for the subsidy is 5.000.000 MKD for support and development of 
cluster asso ciation . 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits attached to it, including date of 
inception/commencement  
One year – 2020. 
9. Statistical data  
Such statistical data on trade effects of the Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and 
Entrepreneurship for 2020 is not available.  
D. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY  
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if relevant, or brief description or identification of the subsidy  
"Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 ". 
2. Period covered by the notification  
2020. 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
The support is given for:  
1. Support for development, maintenance and implementation of social a cceptable practices of 
business entities:  
‐ Reimbursement of partial costs of business subjects for establishing and certifying a 
corporate social responsibility system, in accordance with SA 8000/Report: BSCI/ 
SMETA/FAIRWARE, which provide ethical managemen t in the production of goods and 
services . 
4. Background and authority for the subsidy (including identificationa of the legislationa under 
which it is granted ) 
Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and Entrepreneurship for 2020 is published in the Officia l 
Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No.277/2019. Authority responsible for the subsidy: 
Ministry of Economy.  
The procedure for allocation of funds are carried out by launching public calls on the web -site of the 
Ministry of Economy  
www. economy.g ov.mk;  
www.konkurentnost.mk.  
5. Form of the subsidy (i.e. grant, loan, tax concession, etc. ) 
The subsidy is given in the form of grants.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided (whether to producers, to exporters, or others: 
through what mechanism: whether a fixed or fluctuating amount per unit: if the latter, how 
determined ) 
The Ministry of Economy compensates 70 percent of documented expenses but not more than 
120.000 MKD individually for each applicant.  G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  7. Subsidy per unit or in cases where this is n ot possible, the total amount or the annual amount 
budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the average subsidy per unit in the previous 
year). Where provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the notification, 
for the pr evious year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation  
The annual amount budgeted for the subsidy is 1.000.000 MKD . 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits attached to it, including date of 
inception/commencement  
One year – 2020. 
9. Statistica l data  
Such statistical data on trade effects of the Program for Competitiveness, Innovations and 
Entrepreneurship for 2020 is not available.  
E. PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT  OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP  AND COMPETITIVENESS  OF SMES 
FOR 2020  
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if r elevant, or brief description or identification of the subsidy   
"Program for support of entrepreneurship and competitiveness of SMEs for 2020 ". 
2. Period covered by the notification  
2020. 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy  
The support is given for:  
1. Support of self -employment  
2. Implementation of voucher system for consultation  
3. Introduction of system for standardized mentoring services  
4. Background and authority for the subsidy (including identificationa of the legislationa under 
which it is granted ) 
Program for support of entrepreneurship and competitiveness of SMEs for 2020 is published in the 
Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia No.18/2020. Authority responsible for the 
subsidy: Agency for Support of Entrepreneurship.  
The pro cedure for allocation of funds are carried out by launching public calls on the web -site of the 
Agency for Support of Entrepreneurship and/or printed media  
www. apprm.gov.mk;  
www.konkurentnost.mk.  
5. Form of the subsidy (i.e. grant, loan, tax concession, etc .) 
The subsidy is given in the form of grants.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided (whether to producers, to exporters, or others: 
through what mechanism: whether a fixed or fluctuating amount per unit: if the latter, how 
determined ) 
Agency for Support of Entrepreneurship for each objective shall focus on higher participation of 
woman entrepreneurs . G/SCM/N/343/MKD/Suppl.1  
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  7. Subsidy per unit or in cases where this is not possible, the total amount or the annual amount 
budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, th e average subsidy per unit in the previous 
year). Where provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the notification, 
for the previous year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation  
The annual amount budgeted for the subsidy is t he following:  
‐ Support of self -employment – 15.000.000 MKD;  
‐ Implementation of voucher system for consultation – 1.500.000 MKD;  
‐ Introduction of system for standardized mentoring services – 2.300.000 MKD . 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits a ttached to it, including date of 
inception/commencement  
One year – 2020. 
9. Statistical data  
Such statistical data on trade effects of the Program for support of entrepreneurship and 
competitiveness of SMEs for 2020 is not available.  
 
 
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