Skopje, 11 June 2023 (MIA) - The number of jobs and exports continue to rise in the free economic zones. As of May, the number of jobs has reached nearly 16,900, a 15-percent increase compared to the same month in 2022, shows a regular monthly analysis of the Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones.

The Directorate says almost 700 new jobs have opened in the zones since the onset of 2023.

The rise of exports also continues, reaching EUR 1.6 billion by May, a 13-percent rise compared to the first five months of 2022. May alone saw exports in the amount of EUR 373 million, the highest level in 2023.

Imports in period January-May reached EUR 1.3 billion, a 2-percent rise compared to the same period in 2022. In May alone, imports stood at EUR 285 million, the same level as in the May 2022.

These developments have led to a positive trend of net exports, which stands at 31.5 percent by May, reads the report.

The Directorate expects this growth trend to continue, considering that agreements worth EUR 850 million have been concluded over the past two-and-a-half years, set to open over 8,000 new jobs.

Photo: MIA archive