The Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, addressed the Regional Development Forum organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is currently being held in Budapest, Republic of Hungary.
At the session dedicated to the state of digital development, challenges and opportunities of new trends, Andonovski noted that in Macedonia the digital industry contributes over 5% to GDP, and that this figure is on the rise.
"Our goal is to accelerate this growth by investing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, ensuring that every citizen has access to fast, reliable and secure digital services. Looking ahead to 2025, our next milestone is to expand digital government services and develop initiatives for smart cities, digital identity systems and AI automation. We don’t just want to keep up with the digital revolution – we want Macedonia to become a leader in digital governance in the Western Balkans.", said Minister Andonovski.
Andonovski added that digitalization does not extend only within state borders, and therefore Macedonia is committed to regional cooperation in the area of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans and harmonization with EU digital policies.
"By sharing best practices, harmonizing regulations, and investing in cross-border infrastructure, we can collectively accelerate digital transformation across the countries of Southeast Europe."
He added that digital transformation must be built on three pillars.
"Digital transformation must be built on three pillars: connectivity, cybersecurity and inclusiveness. If we ensure all three, we will create a more competitive, innovative and future-ready Macedonia.", Andonovski concluded.