Government Mineral Concession Policies: the Case of North Macedonia

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to analyse the concessionary mineral resource policies of the Ministry of Economy according to the planning regions in North Macedonia. Concession-winning companies accomplish their development plans, contribute to the economic development of the municipality and of the region where the concession is approved. These government public policies have positive fiscal effects on the budgets of the municipalities and of the ministry of the economy. The findings of the paper argue that mineral concession policies do not contribute to the reduction of developmental disparities between regions in North Macedonia. The authors intend to contribute to the elimination of this shortcoming through the diversification of the criteria in the concession process, the stimulation of small and medium-sized companies, granting government subsidies based on planning regions. The paper has its shortcomings related to the different organizations at the municipal and regional level compared to the Western Balkan countries, which makes it impossible to make a relevant comparison between the situation in North Macedonia and the Western Balkan countries.