On September 17, 2025, in the premises of the Municipality of Gazi Baba, a public presentation and discussion was held dedicated to the construction of the logistics and distribution center in Gazi Baba, considered one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the agri-food sector in North Macedonia. The event was organized within the framework of the Agriculture Modernization Project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy with financial support from the World Bank.
The presentation was opened by the Project Coordinator, Ljubica Patlidzhankovska, who welcomed the attendees and expressed gratitude for their interest and participation. She emphasized that the purpose of the event was to ensure an open and constructive discussion with all stakeholders, including institutions, contractors, the business community, and the civil sector.
In the first part, the scope of the project and its strategic importance were presented. This logistics and distribution center will serve as a modern hub aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of domestic agricultural production, improving product traceability, and creating conditions for sustainable development. The location of the center, near Indzhikovo and the industrial zone in Ilinden, was selected due to excellent transport connections and well-developed municipal infrastructure.
Furthermore, the architect Katerina Todoroska Martinoska, engaged by the selected firm providing consultancy services for site selection, urban planning, feasibility study, and detailed design for the center, presented the technical aspects of the project, including the planned facilities: a fruit and vegetable pavilion, a farmers’ pavilion, an administrative building, waste and pallet management facilities, as well as large parking and traffic areas. The plan is for construction to begin in February 2026 and last for 15 months, with an expected commissioning date in mid-2027.
In the second part of the event, within the same firm, the environmental specialist Elena Nikolovska presented the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). She pointed out potential risks related to air and soil pollution, noise, waste management, and social impacts, as well as the measures for their mitigation. Emphasis was placed on transparency, regular monitoring, and established mechanisms for grievances and public engagement.
Special attention was also given to the Early Market Engagement (EME) framework, through which the business community has the opportunity to provide comments and proposals to ensure alignment of the tender documentation with the real capacities of the market.
In the closing part of the event, Ana Gaceva from the project team and Antonija Vijachka from the World Bank presented the procurement rules. They emphasized that the selection of the contractor will be carried out in accordance with the strict rules of the World Bank and FIDIC, applying the principles of transparency, fair competition, integrity, and ensuring the best value for money invested. As an additional condition, at least 30% of the workforce will need to be engaged from the local community.
The event concluded with an open discussion, during which attendees asked questions and provided suggestions. All received comments will be taken into account in the final documentation, and the project team announced regular updates to the public regarding all further activities.
This meeting reaffirmed the joint commitment to the construction of a modern, sustainable, and competitive agri-food center, which will play a key role in strengthening agriculture and preparing the country for European integration.
