Centre for Development of East Planning Region - Stip, within the project "Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth" 2007CB16IPO007-2009-1-12, project funded by the European Union, IPA Cross-Border Programme CCI Number 2007CB16IPO007, impelmented on the territory of the east planning region of the Republic. Macedonia and the region of Blagoevgrad Bulgaria, from 17-18 January 2012, at the hotel "Centro business" Vinica held: Training for Project Management and development of SMEs.

The main objective of the training was the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of project management and project development. The training was attended by representatives of small and medium enterprises of the east planning region, as well as partner on this project, Association Business Information and Consulting Centre - Sandanski, Republic of Bulgaria.

Centre for Development of East Planning Region - Stip on December 27, 2011 (Tuesday), at the hotel "Sunrise", Stip organized: 

Seminar for European standards and business cooperation
(Republic of Macedonia - Bulgaria)

From the project "Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth", 2007CB16IPO007-2009-1-12, an project funded by the IPA Cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia from 2007 to 2013, CCI Number 2007CB16IPO007.

This seminar was attended by representatives of small and medium enterprises of the east planning region, as well as partner on this project, Association Business Information and Consulting Centre - Sandanski, Republic of Bulgaria.

Centre for Development of East Planning Region - Stip, within the project "Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth" 2007CB16IPO007-2009-1-12, project funded by the European Union, IPA Cross-Border Programme CCI Number 2007CB16IPO007, and implemented on the territory of the east planning region of the Republic. Macedonia, and the region of Blagoevgrad in Republic of Bulgaria, from 9-10 of December 2011, in hotel Izgrev, Stip, held

Training for Project Management (Project Management) and development

The main objective of the training was the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of project management and project development. The training was attended by representatives of the municipalities within the east planning region, NGOs, institutions that provide support to the business sector of the east planning region, as well as partner on this project, Association Business Information and Consulting Centre - Sandanski, Repubic of Bulgaria.

Within the project "Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth," funded by the Program for Crossborder Cooperation between Republic of Bulgaria Republic of Macedonia, in Stip from 11-12.11.2011, the first contact meeting was held for building partner network for cooperation between institutions that provide support to the business sector in the border region. The main objective of the project is the improvement of the business climate in the region by promoting business cooperation between companies as well as new business development services and innovative way of promoting companies .

The main goal of the first contact meeting attended by representatives from  the area of Blagoevgrad, Republic of Bulgaria, and representatives of institutions and organizations that offer support to businesses and municipalities in the east planning region of the Republic of Macedonia, was to meet stakeholders from the border region on one place for discussion of the needs, concepts and ideas for the future development of the partner network . Also at the meeting was defined model for joint planning of the development of cross-border partnership initiatives and activities . Among the conclusions from this first meeting, was the necessary networking of many economic entities and organizations and institutions for supporting the business in order to effectively exploit the full economic potential. Just at the moment the procedure of contacting institutions that offer business support in the border region is started, in order to inform them about the project " Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth " as well as the benefits they would receive from the establishment of a future partner network. All legal entities interested in membership in the partner network, are free to contact the Centre responsible for the development of the east planning region and submit their information.

This project is funded by the European Union, and is expected to be completed in May 2012. The opportunities offered by the project will entail new investment in the region, also there will be established partnership network for cooperation between institutions that provide support to the business sector and will be promoted measures and incentives for partnerships between small and medium-sized companies.

Centre for Development of East Planing Region - Stip on 09^th of November, 2011, at the hotel "Oasis", Stip held a press conference about the project:

"Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth", 2007CB16IPO007-2009-1-12, an project funded by the IPA Cross-border cooperation between Repulic of Bulgaria and Republic of Macedonia 2007-2013, CCI Number 2007CB16IPO007.

The purpose of the press conference was to present the objectives and activities which will be implemented under the project. 

The press conference was attended by representatives from the Association Business Information and Consulting Centre - Sandanski, Republic of Bulgaria, the partners in this project.

Centre for Development of East Planning Region - Stip started with implementionof the project "Cross-border business networking for sustainable growth", with the ultimate goal of improving business climate in the border region between Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Bulgaria. The project aims to enhance business cooperation through the development of business services, marketing of small and medium enterprises and improving access to information and consultancy services in the border region.

The planned activities are:

• Establishment and Management of Business Center for transfrontier initiatives in Stip;
• Creating a common web platform for marketing and business information (JUMP);
• Conducting a series of seminars and training for managers of small and medium enterprises and institutions that provide support to the business sector;
• Issue of Cross-border Business catalog for SMEs;
• Building a Network Partner for cooperation between institutions that provide support to the business sector across cross-border region.

Mrs. Dragica Zdraveva, Head of Centre for Development of East Planing Region - Stip , said : "This is the beginning of a long-term cooperation between the two regions and we believe it will bring enormous positive results economically. The goal is to enable companies from both countries to network in order to improve its products and services and successfully together to perform on European market. Our ultimate goal is to constantly improve the cooperation, not only economically but also in other segments".

The project duration is 12 months and is expected to lead to attracting more investment in both partner regions that offer tremendous opportunities and untapped potential. With the establishment of the partner network for cooperation between institutions that provide support to the business sector is expected to create common tools and measures for encouraging the cooperation between small and medium enterprises.

The project is funded by the European Union, IPA Cross-Border Programme CCI Number 2007CB16IPO007, and is implementing on the territory of the East Planning Region in the Republic of Macedonia and the region of Blagoevgrad in Republic of Bulgaria.

On December 19^th, the day of the patron of the Municipality of Shtip, the Center for Development of the East Planning Region along with the eleven municipalities within the region, held the “Promotional Day of the East Planning Region.” The eleven municipalities presented their unique potential to the citizens of Shtip and possible investors.

Written promotional materials, archeological artifacts, traditional food and drink, traditional handicrafts and products from local manufacturers were presented to the attendees of the event.

On the 17^th and 18^th of December 2011, the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Center for Development of the East Planning Region (composed of eleven municipalities within the region) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the Ministry of Economics, the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Macedonia, the Agency for Employment of the Republic of Macedonia, University Goce Delchev in Shtip, the Municipality of Shtip, and the Council for Development of the East Planning Region held the first Employment Fair at the “Bezisten” in Shtip.

The event was opened by Deputy Minister Sasho from the Ministry of Local Self Government.