Building bridges towards our common digital future On November 1, 2023, the Chamber of Commerce for Information and Communication Technologies MASIT held its traditional Annual Conference for the 18th time. At this central and most important event of MASIT, the focus was on the latest trends, innovations and practical advice from leading experts in the industry. With the theme “Building Bridges: Towards Our Common Digital Future”, and under the motto #DIGITALUNITED, we managed to send our message for the unification of all stakeholders in society, who have a huge role in the processes of digitization and digital transformation in the country. In front of an audience of about 300 guests, we spoke loudly about the digitization of processes at all levels, in the public and private sectors, with a presentation of innovative topics, trends and solutions that are available on the market by ICT companies, but also about the experiences and practices on the topic of digital transformation. This year, we had a unique opportunity to hear two eminent honorary keynote speakers who, with their fascinating scientific background and rich experience, managed to bring us the most current areas in digitalization in an excellent way. Mr. Alexander Risoy, CEO of our member company NEBB, who first of all referred to the industry he comes from, as well as the symbiosis between IT and OT (IIOT), which is one of the main carriers of digitization and the fourth industrial ‘revolution’. The main emphasis in his presentation was that at the center of the big picture of digitization, it should actually be the welfare of humanity. Throughout his presentation, we had the opportunity to look at real projects and his experiences, illustrated with interesting slides. The final part of Alexander’s thirty-minute address was precisely from that humane aspect of digitization in the function of people. Blagoj Delipetrev, PhD, is an artificial intelligence consultant and former scientific advisor at the European Commission’s Joint Research Center in Ispra, Italy, where he was one of the people responsible for the AI ​​WATCH project, contributing to the development of the European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence intelligence. He specializes in generative artificial intelligence, large language models and the impact of artificial intelligence on society, having more than ten years of experience in AI research and project management. With two PhDs in Computer Science, specializing in Machine Learning/AI and Optimization Algorithms from Delft University of Technology, Netherlands and Cloud Applications from Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. Dr. Delipetrev, in his presentation on the topic: “Generative artificial intelligence, key to our digital future” addressed the challenges, predictions, recommendations, but mostly the benefits of using artificial intelligence and emphasized that “artificial intelligence will not replace you, the people who use artificial intelligence will.” The conference sessions were framed in a concept that kept the attention of the guests until the very end. Through the session “Cyber ​​security as a prerequisite for a digital future”, experts in the field of cyber security emphasized the importance of building leaders who will lead the processes of strengthening national and regional capacities in the area of ​​cyber resilience and cyber security. In the next session further, we heard presentations from IT companies that provide digital solutions and learned how the USAID Partnerships for Economic Growth Activity contributes to increasing the productivity of private sector companies. We undoubtedly concluded that only with digitalization, self-sustainability and greater competitiveness and efficiency of companies can be achieved. In that direction, it is of great importance to hear all sides and all aspects. That is why our official partner at the conference – ProCredit Bank had their own session, in which we heard from the private sector, non-IT companies, who were pleased to tell us their inspiring success stories related to their digital evolution and achieved results from the introduction of digital solutions for the processes in their companies. This year, for the first time, we had a conference where we did not have a host. More precisely, we had, but it was also in the spirit of the theme of the conference. Namely, the conference was primarily opened by Ada, who is the first digital assistant in the public sector, and further throughout the event, it was led by our digital host – Adam. How the conference went through photos, you can see in the album #DigitalUnited on our FB page, at the following link. We express our gratitude to everyone who was a part of this most innovative edition of MASIT – the Annual Conference so far. Special thanks to our partners, supporters and sponsors, with whom we managed to complete this central event of MASIT and send all participants and guests away with positive impressions.

Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Global 2023, the world’s leading investment platform shaping the future of investments and driving meaningful connections with industry leaders. A unique platform for investment professionals to network, share insights, and collaborate on groundbreaking ideas from around the globe.  Featuring over 15000 delegates, 600 distinguished speakers and more than 150 insightful sessions. This year’s event promises to be more expansive than ever before, showcasing an array of remarkable features: Download AIM Global 2023 Program AIM Global 2023 will be a melting pot of innovation and inspiration, bringing together professionals from various sectors to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and forge lasting partnerships. Be part of the debates that will redefine the investment landscape and unlock new growth opportunities.MASIT members can get a special discounted rate of 10% off from the registration packages for delegates and SME’s. Learn more about AIM Global 2023 at the following link.

Open job position in MASIT – Membership Coordinator / Project Coordinator The Chamber of Commerce for Information and Communication Technologies MASIT announces a call for employment for the position of “Membership Coordinator / Project Coordinator”. Required Qualifications: University diploma; 5 + work experience in similar organizations as MASIT such as: Non-governmental organizations, associations, chambers of commerce, public institutions and agencies; international projects etc. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Excellent knowledge of the English language; Excellent computer skills (MS Office, social media, other/financial software); Skills and Abilities: Managing a membership database and actively working on a strategy for new potential members and supporters of the chamber. Preparation of promotional materials and brochures for acquiring new members. Provision of useful information in the domain of the ICT industry, development of services and organization of events for the benefit of MASIT members. Provides information and support to the working groups and bodies of MASIT in order to provide professional assistance in achieving their goals. Designing and conducting surveys to understand member needs, assist in member relations initiatives and monitor new industry trends that may affect the advancement and development of the ICT industry and business environment. Identifying and creating additional web content and newsletter that will be considered valuable and useful for the membership of MASIT in order to enable access to information, education, legal advice, cooperation, networking and promotion at domestic, regional and international level Coordinating the activities and initiatives in the domain of the work position. Assistance in writing international projects, project budgeting, project implementation and execution. Support of the program manager in the execution of the projects. Other services and support of MASIT members whenever necessary. Working hours: 8 hour working hours from 09:00 to 17:00 Mon-Fri (40 hours per week) All interested candidates are required to send their CV to contact@masit.org.mk no later than 22.08.2022 (Monday) by 13:00. Only selected candidates will be called for an interview.

We are pleased to inform you that MASIT and ProCredit Bank will continue their cooperation in the area of ​​patron partnership in the next period as well. We are proud that in the past period, through mutual cooperation, we have contributed to the improvement of the conditions for the growth and development of the ICT industry. Through the continuation of this partnership, ProCredit Bank will support MASIT in its activities to represent the Macedonian ICT industry and promote and represent the business interests of ICT companies in order to promote and develop the ICT industry and the business environment. ProCredit Bank has been a proven business partner for the past two decades. The first and only digital bank in the country that, with its concept of work, has an individual approach and high-quality service for small and medium-sized enterprises, but also for individuals who want to use simple and modern banking 24/7. In cooperation with MASIT, ProCredit Bank confirms its commitment and dedication to the ICT sector. For more information, visit the website of ProCredit Bank https://pcb.mk/. Започни соработка со ProCredit Банка

MASIT and the American University of Europe – FON, as an associate member of the chamber, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in order to establish useful academic connections, relations and cooperation in the field of careers and employment, as well as mutual cooperation in the field of labor market research for the graduates in information technologies (IT) from the Faculty.Mutual cooperation is the basis of increasing competitiveness through capacity building and qualification of human resources in the field of informatics.For MASIT, this Memorandum represents the officialization of the successful cooperation with the American University of Europe – FON, as well as an opportunity to deepen it. In the period ahead, we expect to jointly contribute significantly to encouraging innovation activity and technological development in the domain of the ICT sector.

E-Governance Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID/Bosnia) The development of the e-Social Registry System in the Federation of BiH. Millennium Partners is implementing the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded E-Governance Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability of government-led processes. Millennium Partners issues a request for proposals (RFP) from organizations for the provision of services for the development of an information system for the implementation of social protection and social policy development in the Federation of BiH, and the upgrade of the Unified Beneficiary Register. A fixed-price contract will be issued to the selected organization. Millennium Partners is issuing a notice request for proposals (RFP) from organizations to provide services to develop an e-Social Registry System in the Federation of BiH. Interested applications must meet the RFP’s minimum eligibility criteria as described in the Notice in attachment To obtain the RFP, send an email request containing the proof of eligibility criteria to info@usaidega.ba with the subject line “RFP FBiH e-Social Registry System” by Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 17:00h. Late submissions will not be accepted. Download PDF

June 16 and 17, 2022, Hotel “Mediterranean” in Becici, Montenegro The focus of the conference will be to increase the productivity of companies by introducing innovations, financial and technical forms of support for digitalization processes, fine tech-improvement of platforms for cashless payments, security and consumer education in online payments, digitalization of public administration, entrepreneurial infrastructure for innovation companies, syber security, etc. Panelists, lecturers and moderators are representatives of relevant associations, public and private companies, financial and public institutions, international organizations and academia. The conference is intended for top and middle level management of public and private companies, public administration, municipalities and cities, international and non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, educational institutions, IT companies, innovative companies, media and others. Participants from across the SEE region will be invited to the conference. We have provided you with more than 40 top lecturers, including: Borislav Tadić, Senior Vice President of Deutsche Telekom, Ivan Ostojić, former McKinsey Strategic Business Model Advisor, now Chief Business Officer at Infobip, Joshua Bell, Senior IT Security Consultant, company “Telexiom” from Berlin, a leader in IT consulting services, Davorin Miljić lead IT consultant, one of the most deserving people for the successful digitalization of the University of Graz.  “D Days” is not a conference where we will talk about the technical details of individual software and technologies, but about specific problems in everyday business and solutions that business digitalization provides. We hear all this from the conference participants who are directly involved in various spheres of digitalization in the public and private sector and can speak from personal experience about the problems and benefits that digitalization brings. New views, knowledge and contacts gained at the conference will certainly contribute to spreading insight into what can be done today in the region and which organizations and companies can help us financially and technically, but also how projects can be made in our region at the highest technological and scientific level. As an institutional partner, MASIT has provided a 25% discount for its members. You can find out more about the topics and lecturers on the conference website: “Digitalization of SEE countries -” One way ticket “

Избрано е ново раководство со мандат 2022 – 2025 година On March 18, 2022, the ICT Chamber of Commerce – MASIT Skopje, held its 16th Regular Annual Election Assembly at the Alexander Palace Hotel, at which the new leadership of the chamber was elected with a mandate of March 2022 – March 2025. Mr. Ilija Gospodinov from the company Endava was elected President of the Management Board, and Ms. Vesna Ivanoska from the company Seavus Educational and Development Center was elected Vice President of the Management Board. MASIT At the regular Election Assembly, for a new President of the Assembly of MASIT, Mrs. Aneta Antova Pesheva from the company Unet was elected. At the same time, new members of the Management Board, the Supervisory Board and the Court of Honor were elected. They are listed below: Members of the Management Board of MASIT are: Ilija Gospodinov, Endava, President of the Management Board Vesna Ivanoska, Seavus Educational and Development Center, Vice President of the MB Blagoj Hristov, Makedonski Telekom Goran Petrevski, ASSECO SEE Damjan Manchevski, Mak-System Software Dragan Chepujnoski, A1 Macedonia Nenad Chubrinovski, InPlayer Robert Pavlov, Musala Soft Sofche Jovanovska, Scalefocus Members of the Supervisory Board of MASIT are: Mile Stoilovski, Bransys, President of the Supervisory Board Goran Mitev, Edusoft lija Mishov, IT Labs Members of the MASIT Commission of Honor are: Tedi Conevski, Neotel, President of the Commission of Honor Viktorija Drangovska, Code IT Solutions Dashmir Istrefi, Hoyo Tech MASIT The new management of MASIT in the upcoming period will have several strategic priorities for strengthening the position of the chamber and protecting the interests of the ICT industry: establishing a regular process for monitoring the situation and growth of the ICT industry; lobbying of the interests of the ICT industry in front of the competent State institutions by transferring the problems and offering solutions; strengthening the chamber by introducing new and expanded membership services; strengthening coordination between the private and the public sector and education (formal and informal) in order to address labor force challenges; promoting the ICT industry and member companies.

As part of the world event EXPO 2020 DUBAI on 14.01.2022 at Terra Auditorium, one of the five thematic auditoriums at the fair, the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion organizes a business event to present the country’s investment, export and tourism potentials named: „North Macedonia – a new regional business hub“. In two divided sessions of the forum were presented the export capacities of our country with special emphasis on fast-growing industries – ICT sector and agribusiness, as well as tourism potentials and opportunities of North Macedonia for tourism development in all 4 seasons of the year. The Executive Director of MASIT, Anita Nikova emphasized that the ICT sector in the country and the export of information services have increased in the past few years, which was not hindered even by the pandemic. Compared to the previous 5 years, exports increased by 61%. The growth is significantly higher in the part of computer services which in the past five years has increased by 131%. The forum was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to the UAE, H.E. Abdulkadar Memedi and Bekri Aydini UAE Economic Adviser and Commissar General of the North Macedonia Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai, as well as representatives of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce and representatives of the food and IT industry sector from Dubai. North Macedonia’s participation in EXPO 2020 Dubai aims to raise the visibility of the country in the Middle East and worldwide by presenting the investment, export and tourism potential of North Macedonia, as well as creating a network of business contacts and opportunities to increase economic cooperation and attracting new investments.

E-Governance Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID/Bosnia) The $10.5 million 5-year E-Governance Activity was awarded to Millennium Partners in February 2020. The E-Governance Activity is assisting BiH to harmonize its e-governance legislative and regulatory framework with EU directives and international best practices, to develop new software solutions for targeted government-led processes, and to improve horizontal and vertical interoperability among different levels of government in BiH (i.e., the State BiH, the Republika Srpska, and the Federation of BiH). These activities will enhance the efficiency and accountability of government institutions responsible for providing services to businesses and citizens. Millennium Partners is issuing a notice request for proposals (RFP) from organizations to provide services to develop an e-Centralized Public Procurement (e-CPP) information system and upgrade of the e-Procurement Portal. A Firm Fixed Price contract will be issued to the selected organization. Interested applications must meet the RFP’s minimum eligibility criteria available in the attached document Download PDF To obtain the RFP, send an email request containing the proof of eligibility criteria to info@usaidega.ba with the subject line “RFP e-CCP PPA” by Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 17:00h. Late submissions will not be accepted.