Skopje, 2 January 2024 (MIA) - A company from an attractive technology destination in Southeast Asia is the new foreign investment that will start off 2024 for the Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ). The Free Zones Authority director Jovan Despotovski told MIA the investment will be announced on Wednesday, and the location is economic zone Skopje 1. He added that by the end of the investment period, it includes over EUR 15 million per year for wages alone.  

"The investment opens a completely new chapter in terms of the type and quality of investments, especially in terms of high wages and hiring young people with top qualifications. The company has representative offices in several countries worldwide and already employs young people from the country, but with the agreement that has been reached, the number will increase twentyfold," said Despotovski.

Despotovski also commented on his political engagement. As SDSM member for almost 30 years and former candidate for leader of the party, he said he was honored to be part of the party and was deeply convinced that SDSM will be the leading political force to take the country into the EU in 2030, noting however that he is absolutely aware and understands the mood among citizens.

"In these six years, we have successfully completed many things, but there are still many things that have not been paid attention to, i.e. where results that are visible to the citizens are missing. Mainly the rule of law and the fight against corruption," Despotovski said. 

According to him, surveys show that citizens are tired of promises and excuses, they want concrete results that will change their every day lives.

"It's high time we introduced a meritocracy system, start putting the right people in the right places. By playing great leaders and deliberately implementing the "divide and rule" strategy, we brought the state and all institutions in a situation of not having trust among the citizens, dissatisfaction with public services, a place for those who do not want to progress and work in the interest of citizens, a place for party staff employment," said Despotovski. 

He pointed out it was his personal view that a responsible politician concept should be introduced, which delivers concrete results. And doing so should go beyond the boundaries of a party and the state. 

"In that sense, SDSM should re-initiate consensus building with the largest opposition party on key issues of interest to the state and citizens. And I am not only talking about the constitutional amendments, but also about everything that follows in terms of key processes. After all, SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE are the two largest parties in Macedonia, and as such they must bear most of the responsibility for the future of the country," Despotovski said.