Brussels, 22 May 2023 (MIA) - Avesta Battery & Energy Engineering (ABEE) from Belgium is to invest €40 million in North Macedonia and is to create 600 new jobs in the next 3 to 4 years.

€10 million will be invested in the first phase, employing 200 people, whereat average gross wage will amount to €1,500, MIA’s Brussels correspondent reported.

The construction of a factory for the production of electric car battery systems will be launched next year in the Technological Industrial Development Zone in Kichevo, and should be completed by end of 2024.

The investment contract was signed on Monday in Ninove by ABEE’s CEO, Noshin Omar, and the director of the Technological Industrial Development Zones (TDIZ), Jovan Despotovski, in attendance of Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi. 

The investment, Despotovski pointed out, has substantial added value.

“It is expected that the state aid that will be given to the company will be returned in four to five years to the budget only based on personal tax and profit tax,” Despotovski said.

According to Minister Bekteshi, the municipality of Kichevo was chosen for the investment because this part has skilled workforce from Oslomej thermal power plant that will be transformed into a gas power plant.

“We presented to the investor not only the municipality of Kichevo, but also other municipalities, where according to the Energy Development Strategy and what is our obligation as a state in the field of energy. Oslomej thermal power plant will be transformed into a gas power plant where such a number of employees are not needed, a part of them will be transferred to photovoltaic plants, and there will be employees who will have the opportunity to apply in this company, but also in other companies that will invest,” Bekteshi said, announcing new investments from Belgian companies.

According to ABEE’s CEO, Noshin Omar, this investment not only underscores ABEE’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, but also reflects their confidence in North Macedonia’s potential as a manufacturing hub.

“The new investment in Battery Management Systems (BMS) production aligns with ABEE’s long-term strategy of expanding its global footprint and strengthening its position as a leading manufacturer in the field,” Omar said.

ABEE, founded in 2019, is an engineering company offering advanced solutions for batteries and battery systems for automotive and stationary applications. ABEE is a fast-growing multicultural company consisting of team members from various nationalities.

Bekteshi and Despotovski's visit is within President Stevo Pendarovski's official visit to Belgium, who will present North Macedonia’s opportunities to Belgian companies at a business forum in Antwerp on Monday.

Photo: Government of North Macedonia