Representatives of the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) visited their International Partner, Macedonia, to provide support in a number of areas.
Drew Egan, executive vice president of MCUL and CUCorp, and Hank Hubbard, CEO of Communicating Arts Credit Union of Michigan, conducted a staff training session entitled "Seven Habits for Effective People" in Macedonia and worked on business planning with the FULM Management Boards.
They also participated in a number of publicity events, including a TV interview and a meeting with the Mayor of Strumicza, and visited the Parliamentary Commission of the Economy, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Local Governments, according to the league.
The Association of Citizens FULM has been working together with World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) since 1995 to develop and implement credit unions as a new type of financial institution in the Macedonian Market. FULM Savings House was founded in 1999, and it has been working with MCUL through WOCCU's International Partnership Program since 2003. Since then MCUL has been instrumental in providing FULM Savings House support through continuous lobbying of the government of Macedonia for savings and credit union legislation, fair banking regulations as well as technical support for training, and marketing design assistance.
Since 1993, USAID has invested more than $400 million to support projects that promote Macedonia's transition to a free market-based, multi-ethnic democracy. More than 30 projects worth $35 million a year are currently being implemented, according to WOCCU.
