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Although the association of ACI Macedonia (or initially called Macedonian Forex Club) was officially founded in 1996, the interest in working in the dealing business, financial markets and uniting in associations had already occurred in the times of SFR Yugoslavia. During the existence of the former state, the Yugoslavian Forex Club was operating on the initiative of the National bank of Yugoslavia, Jugobanka and Ljubljanska banka, which in 1975, after adopting the required statute obtains the status of a member in the international ACI association. Among the members of the presidency is Dushka Ilievska from Stopanska Banka Skopje. During that period representatives of Stopanska Banka have occasionally attended various trainings, mostly in neighboring Serbia, in order to improve their knowledge and enlarge their networking potential.

In the years after Macedonia declared its independence, enthusiasts for founding such an association have occasionally met in the café “London” to discuss about eventual further actions and plans. Dragoljub Arsovski is considered to be most deserving for the adopted legal changes in 1996 which created favorable conditions for the existence of an organization such as ACI Macedonia. The founding Assembly was held on April 23, 1996 in the premises of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia, at which the Statute was adopted and the governing bodies elected. There were 10 founders, from which Dushanka Hristova (at the time Vice-Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia), Sinisa Velkovski from the NBRM, Dragan Dimitrov, Mite Lalevski, Zvonimir Soltirov, etc., can be noticed as the most deserving ones. The exceptional support from NBRM was of huge importance for the association, both financially and organizational wise, having in mind that the official premises of the association were located on the 5th floor in the NBRM headquarters

Viktorija Mandichevska was elected the first president of ACI Macedonia. Due to her professional engagement in London, Milena Perchinkova takes over the position and responsibilities of the President and stays in office for 10 years (1997-2008) in which the association makes some significant steps ahead. The following president of ACI Macedonia is Emil Jakimov (2008-2018), and in 2018 the 4th president becomes Bojan Cvetanovski who is expressing some ambitious plans for further development.

In 2001 due to fulfilling the preconditions for admission to the global association, amendments were made to the Statute and the change of the name from the Macedonian Forex Club in ACI Macedonia – Association of Financial Markets. The Macedonian delegation consisting of several members is actively participating on the 42nd World Congress in Singapore, after which the association becomes a full member (under the constitutional name) of the global ACI society.

Another important year for ACI Macedonia is 2004 when after the amendments of the legal regulation come into force the taking of the ACI Certificates exams (Dealing & Settlement) becomes mandatory to work on a position in financial institutions operating in these areas. A great merit for the whole process is credited to Vanco Kargov, Vice-Governor of the NBRM at the time. This would enable the individuals holding the certificate to acquire specific knowledge in the area and to contribute to their companies and the market in general.

Members of the association are dealers employed in commercial banks and NBRM dealing with foreign exchange spot and forward transactions, foreign exchange placements and trade with precious metals, as well as the managers responsible for these operations. The main goals of the association are to unite dealers in order to establish personal and professional relations, increase the mutual trust and share experiences. An inseparable part is the above-mentioned educational purpose of constantly developing and improving its members in every aspect possible.

In 2018 ACI Macedonia held its 22nd Annual Assembly. During the years, many established domestic and foreign guests have participated, although the main focus on the program has been retained, such as making decisions, educational presentations for the members, some intriguing panel discussions, as well as the opportunity for social activities and networking among the members of the association.

Our story continues…