Skopje, 28 June 2022 (MIA) – German pharmaceutical company “Gerresheimer” will open a new facility in technological-industrial development zone Skopje 2, investing over EUR 126 million, which represents the largest amount on record in the free economic zones. Gerresheimer Executive Vice President Oliver Burgel announced the decision at a meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones (DTIDZ) General Manager Jovan Despotovski, the Government said in a press release. PM Kovachevski expressed satisfaction from the company’s decision to invest in North Macedonia, which reaffirms the Government’s economic policies and positive investment environment in the country. He added that new investments and jobs amid a global crisis are of enormous importance for improvement of the people’s living standard and economic development. In this regard, the PM said the Government is strongly supporting dual education for career development of young people, alongside training programmes aimed at producing qualified staff for the companies’ needs. Kovachevski also highlighted the importance of German investors in the country and the spike in bilateral trade exchange, underlining the Government’s efforts to create a favorable business environment, through regional initiatives such as Open Balkan but also regular communication with chambers of commerce, so that companies are able to have predictability and long-term planning. DTIDZ manager Despotovski said North Macedonia is entering the map of countries that possess the capacity for large high-quality investment that benefit the citizens and the state. He added this is owed to the directorate’s new concept based on recognizing the investors’ needs and the flexible approach, facilitated by the stability guaranteed through the country’s NATO membership. Burgel praised North Macedonia’s excellent investment environment, including quality infrastructure, qualified workforce and good operating practices, which were crucial for the company’s decision. The new Gerresheimer high-tech facility will manufacture specialized medical glass products, vaccine syringes etc. It will employ 180 people with a wage double the country’s average. Construction works are expected to start in the third quarter of 2022, with production set to begin in 2024. Gerresheimer’s initial investment of EUR 25 million in the zones has already increased to EUR 60 million. Gerresheimer, a leading global partner in the pharmaceutical and health industry, has production facilities in 36 locations across Europe, North and South America and Asia, with about 10,000 employees and annual revenues of approximately EUR 1,4 billion.