Skopje, 8 August 2023 (MIA) –This year saw a record number of 427 applications for new investment projects, and 289 new contracts were concluded with planned investments of €366 million, that will create 4,439 new jobs, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said.

"The largest number of companies that receive support are 63 companies in the food-processing industry, 73 companies in the metal-processing industry, 21 companies in the ICT industry, 87 companies in the wood industry and furniture production, 20 companies in the pharmaceutical industry and 25 companies in the textile and leather processing industry, which, according to the projections, will create new 4,439 jobs. With this, the portfolio of contracts for financial support of investments increases to a total of 919 contracts, of which 204 have been completed," Bytyqi said.

The implementation of the Law on Financial Support of Investments is a driving force that opened new horizons for sustainable growth and development of our economy, through a partnership and inclusive approach to the government's economic policies.

The government, through its policies, is restoring the business entities’ confidence in the institutions and in our economic policies, which increases from year to year, which also increases the number of signed contracts for financial support of companies that were bold to enter new investment cycles.

One of the goals of the Law on Financial Support of Investments is to encourage the balanced regional development, so that companies that have invested in the less developed planning regions receive a higher percentage of support.
This year, the companies with which the contracts for financial support have been signed include planning regions: Vardar region - 17 companies (6%), Pelagonija region - 32 companies (11%), Eastern region, East region - 42 companies (15%), Polog region - 40 companies (14%), South East region - 44 companies (15%), North East region - 8 companies (3%), South West region - 18 companies (6%) and Skopje region -  88 companies (30%).

Deputy PM Bytyqi said that the government will continue in the future to help companies that have a significant impact on local economic development, and that invest in improving their competitiveness, their products and introduce new production lines, creating well-paid jobs and high-value added products.

Photo: The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia