Skopje, 17 May 2026 (MIA) — Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Sunday the country must focus on high-value products to boost the national economy and gross domestic product.

Speaking after the opening of a new farmers market in Vinica, Mickoski said he expects real GDP growth to reach above 3.5% despite Europe's economic growth remaining below 1%.

"As the European market consolidates, which is crucial since the EU is our largest market and accounts for over two-thirds of our trade, I expect our growth to intensify, and why not, reach 4%, 5% or even 6%," Mickoski told reporters.

The prime minister said the country was highly attractive to foreign investors because it is located at the intersection of two major European routes: Corridor X, linking Central Europe to the Mediterranean, and Corridor VIII, connecting the Adriatic with the Black Sea.

"We are a natural crossroads," Mickoski said. "All foreign investors can use this to their advantage." 

He added that the country's skilled and knowledgeable workforce was another advantage, giving the country a competitive edge over regional neighbors.

"We can offer many, many more things, because the citizens of Macedonia are honest and hardworking people, people who want to work, people who want to create and love their country. I think that means a lot to investors," Mickoski said.

He also said that if official data from the State Statistical Office, which currently lists nearly 90,000 unemployed people looking for jobs, was adjusted to exclude farmers and teenagers aged 15 and 16, the actual unemployment rate would be below 5%. mr/