Makedonski Telekom Skopje : Digital Transformation as a Driver of the Economic Growth of the Western Balkans Countries

'The digital transformation should be a driver of the economic growth of the Western Balkans countries. The digitization and the smart technologies will enable regional integration, new perspectives and intensive cooperation of the citizens from the region. And the Western Balkans countries will be successful only if they have a joint approach in terms of their future and prosperity', is a joint conclusion of the participants of the two-day regional economic conference, 'The Western Balkans in 2030', which was held from 26 to 27 September in Belgrade.

Among other things, the participants also discussed about the connection of the digitization and the faster economic growth and the reduction of the brain drain, as key problems and challenges which are faced by the countries from the Western Balkans.

Nikola Ljushev, the Chief Executive Officer of Makedonski Telekom also had an interesting presentation on the topic of 'The importance of the digital transformation as a basic precondition for positive changes and development of the countries in the region', and at the panel discussion in front of the attendees he pointed out that: 'The construction of modern telecommunications infrastructure by using new technologies, the investments in digital skills and the digital literacy are a basic precondition for the development of the countries in the region.' He also pointed out that Western Balkans can be successful only by applying a regional approach and cooperation, because of the need for a larger market and the high level of necessary investments. 'I am firmly convinced that the digitization will bring benefits to all societies equally. Deutsche Telekom Group, as one of the key investors in the Western Balkans, as well as Makedonski Telekom as part of that Group, are solid, innovative and reliable partners in the process of digital transformation of this region. The digitization will enable e-education, e-health, i.e., new, modern technological solutions that will improve and facilitate the lives of the citizens. '

One of the final messages of all participants in the conference 'The Western Balkans in 2030' was that all countries in the region should cooperate and contribute to the creation of working and living conditions in order to make young people stay in their own countries. In that direction, it was emphasized that investments should be made in appropriate education for developing new skills among the young people as a condition for developing new businesses that will contribute to the growth of the economies in the region. The digital transformation enables the related economic sectors to get better business processes, optimized and efficient, and it will significantly impact the increase in gross domestic product in the countries. Hence, the digital transformation remains one of the main focuses of the Western Balkan countries on their path to EU accession.