OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN BULGARIA AND NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

This article is devoted to the opportunities for the development of cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia from the point of view of the opportunities for better connectivity, development of joint business and formation of common regional economic zones for investments and spatial development of high technologies. In the introductory part, the author presents the state of the border regions of the two countries and the need for their connectivity, as well as the presence of new checkpoints and infrastructure corridors that would support economic interaction. The presentation attempts to outline in practice the process and the need for building an infrastructure network of connections between the settlements on both sides of the border. The demographic potential, the development of the regional economy and the opportunities for innovative enterprises on both sides of the border, as well as the opportunities for tourism, are examined. Corresponding proposals and a framework of opportunities for cooperation and management of the territory on both sides of the countries are made.