Speeches, Remarks & Statements

Remarks by Ambassador Philip T. Reeker
USAID’s eGoV Project:  Online Registration for Employment Services

Holiday Inn, Skopje, Macedonia
December 3, 2008

Vice-Prime Minister Stavrevski, Minister Ivanovski, Deputy Minister Spiro Ristovski, Director Jovanovska, distinguished guests, members of the business community, thank you for the invitation to speak before you today.

The United States and Macedonia have a deep and cooperative relationship that includes extensive assistance programs through USAID and other U.S. government agencies.  We work together with the Macedonian government, business, and non-governmental organizations to build capacity and to institutionalize and implement reforms that will  improve the lives of the citizens of Macedonia.  Since Macedonia’s independence in 1991, we have supported efforts to implement tough reforms to assist the country in achieving its goal of Euro-Atlantic integration.    As you have heard me proudly say many times during my first two months here, Macedonia has no better friend or stronger supporter than the United States.

One of the key challenges for Macedonia is to stimulate economic growth and reform its labor market. Through USAID projects, we are focusing on development of a competitive Macedonian workforce and a flexible labor market.  In partnership with both governmental and nongovernmental bodies we are working on reforming the relevant legislation, building linkages between academic institutions and the business community, encouraging educational reforms, and implementing  internships and life-long learning programs.

A key, common element in much of this work is the promotion and utilization of modern technology, in particular information and communication technology or ICT. We have introduced ICT into schools as a learning tool with great potential and have encouraged its use by municipalities to enhance government accountability and to promote efficiency and transparency in interactions with citizens and business.  USAID is fortunate to have a committed partner in the Macedonian Government in these efforts to increase the use of information and communication technology in many segments of the society and I applaud their efforts.

ICT is bringing efficiency and transparency to the labor market too.    Through USAID’s e-Gov project, we have successfully implemented an the electronic recruitment system for civil servants that is currently used by 90% of applicants.  Similarly, USAID’s Business Environment Activity has built a website which facilitates contacts between job seekers and potential employers.  Last week, our Competitiveness Project introduced an internet tool which will connect students seeking internships and jobs with interested companies.  All these efforts, using information technology, are aimed at creating cost and time-saving processes which enhance the labor environment.

Today, I am pleased to be joining you in launching one more e-government application which will improve the labor market:  the system for electronic registration of jobs.    This is the latest solution developed in close partnership between the e-Gov project and the Government of Macedonia. 

The system will enable all companies in Macedonia to electronically register new employees or deregister departing employees, without ever having to leave their offices.  This will particularly benefit companies with frequent employee turnover, for example,  companies that employ seasonal workers or offer employment services.  Companies will need a digital certificate in order to access the system, but the investment will be worth it, in terms of time and cost savings. 

I'm proud that US assistance to Macedonia once again contributes to the improvement of the business environment in Macedonia in a very tangible way.   We share the same goals to increase investment and stimulate growth and job creation.  Macedonia has made real progress in developing a market attractive to investors but challenges still remain. 

The trip I went on with your Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister helped make investors aware of the opportunities available in Macedonia but continued efforts to improve transparency and develop an independent judiciary will be what brings them here to invest.  It will also help all businesses in Macedonia compete on a level playing field and increase the number of opportunities available to all of the citizens of Macedonia. 

The United States looks forward to continued partnership with Macedonia on these reforms as we continue to support  Macedonia’s efforts to develop a democratic, multiethnic, prosperous Macedonia.  

I would like to thank the Government of Macedonia for demonstrating its determination to further improve the conditions for doing business by providing all the necessary resources and legal support for this project and to commend the Employment Service Agency and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for its constructive engagement with us.

Thank you.