Gostivar, 29 March 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM in charge of economic affairs Fatmir Bytyqi visited the mattress production company Almero in Gostivar on Wednesday, which is set to open 300 new jobs. This company is supported by the country, which “yields results” and contributes to an even regional development.

“Almero is one of the many companies we support, which operates in a planned region that’s less developed than the Skopje region. This helps us support even regional support. Companies like Almero are local, they export their goods to world markets and will continue to grow through the Government’s partner support,” Bytyqi said.

Deputy PM Bytyqi spoke to the factory’s management team and got to know their plans. Almero constantly introduces new levels of quality and modern designs of sleeping products, mattresses, beds, pillows meant for export towards European countries and the countries of the Western Balkans.

“This company has shown agility in times of crisis and they invest in quality and competition. This is why the Government supports it through the agreement for financial support of investments in measures to grow capital investment and income, as well as support to increase competitiveness,” Bytyqi said.

This company gets financial support for a 5-year cycle (2021-2025), and it received 30% of the investments last year – around EUR 70 000. Last year, they started building a new production plant and a facility with a surface of 13 000 m2. This will be enough to open 300 new jobs, according to plans.

Bytyqi pointed out that the workforce import is not a long-term solution, and that the country is trying to improve things with the lack of workers, pointing out Almero as an example.

This way, with additional qualifications and dual education, things on the labor market will improve. Further qualification of our people who live here is the solution, as well as a way for them to gain the skills that the companies need, Bytyqi said. dk/sk/