May 12, 2026

Mukaetov at the Macedonia2025 Summit:Alkaloid⁠ demonstrates that Macedonia has the capacity to compete globally

Businesses across the country and the broader region must move beyond “local practices” and operate in line with global rules and standards if they aspire to become competitive and achieve sustained success in global markets. The growth and development trajectory of Alkaloid⁠ reflects decades of continuous investments in manufacturing, research and development, talent, technology, and regional expansion.


This year’s Macedonia2025 Summit brought together prominent business leaders from across the region to discuss the systemic changes required to accelerate growth, as well as the challenges companies face throughout the internationalization process. The panel, dedicated to exploring how the region can transform its potential into scalable and sustainable results, sparked key discussions on competitiveness, innovation, and talent retention in Southeast Europe. The Chief Executive Officer and MB President of Alkaloid⁠, Zhivko Mukaetov, spoke about the company’s transformation from a regional manufacturer into a globally competitive pharmaceutical company:


“The transformation unfolded gradually, as a result of a long-term and carefully structured strategy. Our vision for globalization began with the construction of new production facilities in the early 2000s, while the key breakthrough into the European markets came in 2007, when our compliance with EU GMP standards was confirmed, and we obtained our first marketing authorization for a medicinal product in the European Union. Today, Alkaloid⁠ holds 1,008 marketing authorizations across EU markets.”


Mukaetov pointed out that the pharmaceutical segment now accounts for 91 percent of the company’s total sales, with the leading share generated by the semi-synthetic cephalosporin cefixime, for which Alkaloid⁠ is the leading manufacturer in Europe and Eurasia by production volume.


Particular emphasis during the panel discussion was placed on the importance of human capital and the issue of talent outflow from the country and the region, which directly affects both economic and innovation potential. Increasingly, companies across the region are highlighting the mismatch between educational systems and the needs of the modern labor market, alongside the evident shortage of practically trained and globally competitive professionals.


“Alkaloid⁠ invests in its own academy, internship programs, dual education initiatives, and scholarships for medical and pharmacy students, with the aim of contributing to the development and retention of high-quality talent in the country. As pillars of national economies, large companies must find ways to retain talent locally. Our people strategy is also our business strategy,” stated the Chief Executive Officer and MB President of Alkaloid⁠, Zhivko Mukaetov, at the Macedonia2025 Summit, emphasizing that the company’s long-term success and positive reputation are founded on an organizational culture where people, trust, and talent development remain key priorities.


The panel session titled “From Potential to Performance: Can the Region Scale?”, moderated by Metodija Papazoski, member of the Board of Directors of Macedonia2025 and representative of EMBS Group, also featured Aleksandar Seratlic, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercata VT Owner and member of the supervisory boards of Vivex Group, Kras, and MPC Properties, alongside Ana Draskovic, Vice President and Regional General Manager for Southeast Europe at Visa⁠, and Ognjen Lazic, General Manager of Pivara Skopje.