Angjusev: Steel and aluminium import quotas to not affect Macedonian industry


Steel and aluminium import quotas introduced by the European Union are not expected to significantly affect the Macedonian industry. The Government says there will be no spectacular growth but also drop in the industry compared to the past five years.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Koco Angjusev told Telma TV station late on Monday that EU quotas aim to protect the area’s economy from unfair competition, saying Macedonian companies can export steel within the average from the past three years plus five percent.

Several Macedonian companies have said that quotas would limit their distribution options, forcing them to reduce the workforce as a result.

Vice Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani told a press briefing over the weekend that Brussels has already sent a formal notice on the introduction of safeguard measures, imposed as a result of the US tariffs, under which export of steel and aluminum products into the EU is limited.