German-Macedonian Business Summit 2026

Applied Technology and Digitalization as Drivers of Economic Development in North Macedonia
Skopje, North Macedonia | 07 May 2026

Organised by AHK North Macedonia and the German-Macedonian Business Association (DMWV)

Agenda

Conference languages: German, Macedonian and English

09:00 – 10:00 | Registration & Networking Coffee
Participants arrive, register, and enjoy informal networking.

10:00 – 10:15 | Opening & Welcome Remarks

  • Antje Wandelt, Delegate of German Industry in North Macedonia

  • H.E. Petra Drexler, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to North Macedonia

  • Dr. Malte Hauschild, Head of Division: EU Enlargement, Southeast Europe and Turkey, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)

10:15 – 10:35 | Keynote – Economic Outlook of North Macedonia and the Role of ICT
Dr. Ricardo Giucci, Managing Director of Berlin Economics and Team Leader of the German Economic Team

10:35 – 10:50 | Automation & Innovation Transformation in Practice
This panel focuses on the technological and organisational side of industrial transformation. It shows how automation is not only a technological shift, but a profound change in skills, processes, and leadership.

  • Tomasz Macura, Plant Manager, Dräxlmaier North Macedonia

  • Marta Naumovska Grnarova, President of MAMEI – Macedonian Association for Metal and Electro Industry
    Moderator: Donatela Sadriaj, Head of the Bavarian Industry Association for Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro

10:50 – 11:05 | Local Technology Empowerment through Partnership


This discussion highlights how international industrial partnerships accelerate local technology empowerment — enabling companies to move up the value chain from basic production to complex assemblies and integrated solutions.

  • Zoran Ilievski, Chief Operating Officer & Business Development Manager, Aktiva DOO Stip

  • Maximilian Schefz, CEO Business Field Service, ThyssenKrupp Materials
    Moderator: Stefan Kägebein, Director Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, DIHK

11:05 – 11:20 | How Smart Software Boosts Logistics Between North Macedonia and European Markets
This session explores the role of enterprise software in enabling stable, efficient logistics and supporting supply chain growth.

  • Stefan Labenski, Managing Director, Axians NEO Solutions & Technology GmbH
    Moderator: Anita Nikova Bundovski, eGa Senior Expert

11:20 – 11:35 | Startup Pitches: Digital Transformation in Practice
Startups from North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania present real solutions driving digital transformation in business.

  • 3 startups in cooperation with GIZ

11:35 – 11:55 | Special Address
H.E. Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister of North Macedonia

11:55 – 12:00 | Networking Break Overview

12:00 – 13:30 | Networking Break & Start-up Corner

13:30 – 13:40 | Key Address
Stefan Andonovski, Minister of Digital Transformation
Digital Public Services for a Competitive Economy

13:40 – 14:00 | What About the Digital Future of North Macedonia?
This session presents the broader vision of the country’s digital future, highlighting innovation, competitiveness, public service efficiency, and cooperation between government, academia, and business.

  • Stefan Andonovski, Minister of Digital Transformation in North Macedonia

  • Goran Markovic, CEO, Makedonski Telekom AD

  • Prof. Dr. Dimitar Trajanov, Head of the Project VEZILKA
    Moderator: Antje Wandelt, Delegate of German Industry in North Macedonia

14:00 – 14:15 | AI in Action: Turning Adoption into Impact
This discussion explores how companies can move from experimentation to structured and scalable AI implementation.

  • Darko Markoski, Digitalization and AI Lead, Marquardt Macedonia

  • Dr. Elena Babalj Banskolieva, Medical Director, D.med Medical & D.med Technologies
    Moderator: Valentina Taseva, CEO, Semos Education

14:15 – 14:25 | Key Reflections – What Matters Now

  • Viktor Mizo, President of the Foreign Investor Council

  • Antje Wandelt, Delegate of German Industry in North Macedonia

14:25 – 15:25 | German-Macedonian Business Award Ceremony
Celebrating companies driving innovation, digital transformation, and workforce development. Finalists will present their achievements, followed by audience voting and winner announcement.
Moderator: Igor Angelov

15:25 – 16:30 | Closing & Networking