Skopje, 9 April 2023 (MIA) - Exports from industrial zones reached EUR 951.6 million in the first quarter (Q1), a 12-percent rise compared to the same period in 2022 and the highest level over the past five years, shows an analysis of the Directorate for technological-industrial development zones (DTIDZ).

In March, exports reached EUR 345 million, up by 31 percent compared to the same month in 2022 and 22 percent higher than in 2021.

Regarding import, Q1 data shows it reached EUR 770 million, up by 3.5 percent compared to the same period in 2022 and almost five percent higher than in 2021.

March imports reached EUR 279 million, a rise of 17 percent compared to the same month in 2022.

The number of employees in the zones continues to rise, reaching 16,650 workers in March, up by 15 percent compared to the same month in 2022.

This trend is expected to rise considering that new contracts exceeding EUR 620 million have been concluded over the past two years, which are expected to produce over 5,000 new jobs, reads the analysis.

Photo: MIA archive