1. Activities and services

All the activities and services of the European Business Association should fulfil the objectives of the association, focus on common and particular benefit of the existing and potential members of EBA.

The main activities of EBA are the following:

1. Lobbying and representing the members' interests at all levels of Government, as well as on the European level vis a vis European institutions and organisations;
2. Elaboration and preparation of well documented position papers that will provide basis for the lobbying activities on economic, social and labour issues, legislation;
3. Participation in EU policy process and cooperation with EC and Government regarding the Stabilization and Association Agreement;
4. Organisation and participation in business events in the country and in EU.

Core services of EBA - that are included in the general benefits of a member are:   

• lobbying activities,
• a 3-monthly newsletter,
• advice, support, information,
• presentation of joint interests,
• contacts during different events,
• public awareness campaigns,
• organization of collective actions,
• development of networks.

Additional services of EBA - offered to members and to non-members against payment of an additional service fee are:

• business contacts for local enterprises with EU partners (and vice versa),
• training courses, workshops, conferences, magazines,
• participation in trade missions,
• business events.

The Basic activities and services of EBA will be permanently performed free of charge for the members. Non-members have also benefits from the main activities of EBA and they can obtain certain benefits of EBA's services on demand and by payment.

A Price List of EBA services should be developed for the whole span of its services/activities. It should contain information about: the name of the service (prioritised list of services), target group, core/additional service, and members/non-members, how often and when provided.

After the first year of operations EBA should develop a Service Manual in order to standardize process, the setting of quality standards, purpose, the expecting results, identifying responsibilities of persons in charge of providing service, main activities needed for service provision, planning, implementation steps, follow up, service development, time frame, other persons included and preparation of attachments (templates, examples, budget etc.)

2. Lobbying activities

EBA considers lobbying activities as a comprehensive, long-term approach that involves the collection of information, the identification of joint solutions, taking influence on the public opinion, forming alliances with institutions having the same interests, presenting the preferred options to government in the right way.

A. For each lobbying activity EBA will apply the following procedure:

• Select Topics for Lobbying (strategic interests for majority of members)
• Identify efficient sources of information on various issues
• Provide expert analysis on the selected issue
• Identify the main targets (ministries) for lobbying activities
• Identify other business associations/groups in the civil sector with comparable interests and cooperate with them
• Set up a list of responsible persons who have to be informed about issues related to the sub-sector on a regular basis
• Identify media and journalists that are reporting regularly on the issues related to the selected issue
• Start lobbying activities with topics that are relatively easy to handle in order to create a first success
• Publish broadly any success in the area of lobbying to members, non-members and the general public.
• Prepare comprehensive plan for lobbying (topics, timing, who, where, when, how etc.)

B. Position Papers

It is essential for the whole strategy of the EBA as well as for lobbying activities to elaborate position papers on economic development, other economic and financial issues, labour, social, environmental and other issues of EBA's interests.

The above-mentioned position papers should be developed in accordance to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and they must contain certain suggestions to the Government in order to improve its economic and fiscal policy as well as the business environment of the country.

The EBA's suggestions should provide basis for the assistance to the business and economic development programmes of the international donors and particularly EU relevant organisations. The elaboration of projects and their submission to the EU and the government, towards the improvement of business environment and SMEs sector of the country, are among the first priorities of EBA.

3. Participating in the EU policy-making process

Establishment of effective working relations with the European Commission Participation in the EU policy-making process through establishing of effective working relations with the European Commission and the EU member states embassies in Skopje, participating in governmental, EU or joint working groups and committees.

Cooperation with EU Delegation on the progress of the Agreement for Stabilization and Association between EU and Republic of Macedonia.

4. Proposed activities for the 1st year of operation

Beside to the lobbying activities, the proposed activities for the 1st year of EBA are the following:

• Elaboration of well-documented position-policy papers (no less than 2) on economic development issues and approximation of the country to the EU;
• Promotion of the position papers to relevant state and EU authorities. The promotion of the position papers should include a wider presentation and continuing follow up to the relevant ministries, EU organisations, decision makers and journalists;
• Participation to international and national business events, conferences and fora with aim to introduce the new established EBA, its role and positions;
• Participation in the Annual conference of European Business Organisations (EBO) under the DG Enterprise in Brussels (November 17th 2004);
• Organisation of minimum 2 key events per year in cooperation with the Delegation of EC in Skopje and the Government: presentations / workshops / roundtables (i.e. "Effects of SAA on the business society in Macedonia" (for spring of 2005) "Implications of EU Membership for the Businesses in country" (for autumn of 2005);
• Preparation of Calendar of events
  - EBA Corporate Tennis Tournament
  - New Year Cocktail
  - Every second month traditional lunch with the members of EBA, on specific subject
  - Every second month traditional dinner with presentation of specific country, member of EU, organized with the embassy of that country in RM
• Defining the organizational structure of EBA:
  - Establishing of various comities
  - Representatives of EBA in different cities in Macedonia
• Organisation of international events (such as partenariats, conferences, round tables) for the most important for the Macedonian economy industries. These events could be organised in parallel with the specific trade fairs of Skopje Fair. For next year, the most interesting events can be organised for following sectors:
• ENERGY - Organisation of parallel events during the fair Energetics, 01-05.03.2005, 3rd International Fair of Energetics, Efficient, Ecological and Economical Technique, Technology and Equipment. 
  The energy issue is becoming very important next year because of the privatisation process of Elektrostopanstvo na Makedonija. It is expected that the interest of foreign investors will be increased. In cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Ecology and Planning, the Department of EU Integration and the delegation of EC in Skopje a conference can be organized for the presentation of the legislative issues and the privatisation process with participants from France, Germany, Greece, Italy and other EU countries. Organise also parallel sessions with particular meetings of the interested parties and potential investors.
• FOOD INDUSTRY - Organisation of international business events during the Agro Food, 07-11.06.2005, International Skopje Trade Fair on Food, Beverages and Consumer Goods and the corresponding equipment, on Tobacco, Agricultural Industry, on Wine and Strong Beverages. 
  The food industry and the agriculture are among the most perspective sectors of the Macedonian economy for foreign investors. It is possible that a regional (Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and other neighbourhood countries) partenariat will be organized by EBA. 
• Metallurgy and Construction - Organisation of international business events during the TEHNOMA, 18-22.10.2005, 31st International Trade Fair of Metallurgy, Electronics, Non-metals and Construction and 6th International Fair for Handicrafts and Small-Scale Industry. 
• Web site development and update once a month
  EBA's web site is to be the primary resource for communication. All other communication will direct the audience to the web site. It will offer the most comprehensive and current information about EBA and its activities. The web site will offer an avenue for feedback from the business community. This Intranet structure will include links to existing web pages or intranets of all the organisations involved.

5. Cooperation with European Business Organisations (EBO) Worldwide and conducting activities according to the ACTION PLAN 2006-2011 prepared by DG Enterprise, Unit A2

One of the main activities of EBA is to establish permanent working contacts with the Business Organisations of EU and rest of Europe. Therefore during the 1st year of the operation it is essential to establish working relations with the Business Organisations of neighbour countries and European Business Organizations Worldwide.
The work, objectives and activities of EBA will be according to the provisions of the Action Plan 2006-2011.

The Overall Objective of the proposed Action Plan 2006-2011 is:

"To enhance the awareness of the trade potential of the (enlarged) EU in Third Countries with EBOs, eventually leading to better communication between partners,
to better trade relations, and more mutually profitable trade between the EU and Third Countries by  assisting EU companies abroad".

Fulfilling of the goals and tasks of the Action Plan 2006-2011 will fulfilled with establishing closer relationships between the Commission services and the EBOs, to raise awareness of EU policy priorities and activities, thereby improving the basis for further development and implementation of EU policies and to promote the EBOs within the Commission, coming to a closer cooperation between EBOs on specific issues, and a better understanding of the European business position through attendance of government officials of some EBO countries at annual meetings, building stronger awareness of the EU and specific messages on trade and other policies, and help build media relationships for EBOs in local markets, creating a better understanding within the government and business community in each of the countries with regard to key EC legislation, economic and trade policies, such as standardisation, IP protection, and elimination of trade barriers etc.