Support for Businesses During the COVID-19 Crisis
Adaptation, Stabilization and Business Survival During the Pandemic
In 2020, with the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, SEMAK adjusted its operations and the activities of the Training Center in order to provide timely, practical and accessible support to businesses affected by the crisis.
The primary focus was on addressing the economic consequences of the pandemic, preserving jobs, maintaining company liquidity and ensuring business continuity—particularly for micro, small and family-owned businesses, rural and women-led enterprises, and young entrepreneurs.
Online Consultations and Crisis Coaching
Due to restrictions on physical meetings, SEMAK established an online working model, delivering support through:
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Online consultations and coaching sessions
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Crisis and risk management
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Adaptation of business models
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Financial planning under reduced revenue conditions
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Cost restructuring
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Digitalization and online sales
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Legal and administrative support during the state of emergency
Consultations were conducted both individually and in groups, via digital platforms, ensuring that support remained fast, flexible and accessible.
Financial Support to Overcome the Crisis
A significant portion of SEMAK’s activities in 2020 was focused on financial facilitation and access to liquidity, through the following instruments:
Support Instruments
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Loans from the Development Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia
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Interest-free and favorable liquidity loans
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COVID-19 support measures for companies and employment
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Assistance in utilizing state and anti-crisis measures
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Advisory support for postponement of obligations and financial stabilization
SEMAK provided expert guidance throughout the entire process, including application support, documentation preparation, and navigation through rapidly changing measures and regulations.
Objectives of the 2020 Activities
• Preservation of jobs
• Support for company liquidity
• Rapid adaptation to new working conditions
• Strengthening digital capacities
• Mitigation of the economic impact of the crisis
Lessons Learned and Added Value
The year 2020 was marked by resilience, solidarity and rapid adaptation.
Through online training, consultations and financial support, SEMAK contributed to the survival and stabilization of numerous businesses, laying the foundation for their recovery and future growth.
2020 | Activity Calendar – COVID-19 Business Support
January – February
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Risk analysis and early support for micro and small businesses
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Liquidity advisory services and business planning
March – April
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Rapid transition to online consultations
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Crisis coaching and guidance for business continuity
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Information on anti-crisis measures
May – June
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Support for loans from the Development Bank
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Assistance with applications for state COVID-19 measures
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Financial stabilization and short-term planning
July – August
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Online coaching for business model restructuring
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Cost reduction and adaptation to new markets
September – October
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Support for digitalization and online sales
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Financial advisory services for maintaining liquidity
November – December
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Evaluation of the impact of the crisis
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Preparation of businesses for 2021 (post-COVID period)
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Individual online consultations
The civic association SEMAK was founded in august 2003 with the mission for social-economic cohesion