The global financial crisis has already begun to affect all of the world’s economies. If the response of the political and economic decision-makers to the crisis is not well coordinated, swift and adequate, a long period of recession looms large not only in the most advanced economies of the West but also in all other countries that have so far benefited from globalization. The implications of the global downturn will greatly reduce the policy options for governments and companies especially in the field of crisis and risk management. It makes a review of the existing mechanisms of financial regulation, business strategies, but also of the framework of our market economies necessary.

Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel? How deep the consequences of the global crisis will be felt? Macedonia is faced with serious economic ordeals – to uphold the value of the domestic national currency, to prevent the MKD from devaluation, to shorten the budget spending, to face restrictions in respect of the salaries, for the pensioners and the public administration, if IMF becomes partner of the Government of Gruevski again. Urgent measures for solution for the crisis, rebalance of the Budget, cutting of the costs for unproductive projects, these are the requests that the bankers, businessmen, experts sent directly to the governmental ministers on the round table discussion “Market economies under pressure – Is there light at the end of the tunnel?” organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the European Business Association. They all agree on one thing, the consequences of the crisis can already be felt.