North Macedonia is set to significantly increase the participation of domestic firms in key infrastructure projects, following the planned signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom, North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski announced.

He said that the deal could raise local companies’ involvement to over 70%, compared to current rates of 10-49%, news agency MIA reported on May 18, citing the transport ministry statement.

The agreement, unveiled by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on May 16 during the European Political Community summit, outlines a GBP5bn (€6bn) investment framework focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, defence, and education. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the deal, with the British embassy in Skopje hailing it as a major milestone in bilateral relations.

“This will be the largest opportunity for domestic involvement ever seen in Macedonian infrastructure,” Nikoloski said. He noted that the government will soon engage with business chambers to encourage companies to participate.

He also highlighted that alongside financial investment, the agreement includes technology and skills transfers. UK partners will provide advanced machinery and expert engineers to help develop Macedonian capacity, allowing local companies to grow and modernise.

Nikoloski expressed hope that within 5-10 years, North Macedonia’s construction sector would become internationally competitive, eventually exporting services rather than relying on foreign firms.