Skopje, 9 August 2021 (MIA) – Companies from and in industrial zones that work with Macedonian suppliers will receive ten times greater financial assistance from the government, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said on Monday during a press conference regarding the updated Law on Financial Support of Investments. He stressed that assistance will increase from 1 to 10%. “Assistance for investors that procure over 7.5% of supplies from domestic enterprises or Macedonian companies outside zones will increase from 1 to 10%,” Bekteshi told reporters. According to him legal changes have also facilitated investments from the diaspora, with assistance increasing from 10 to 15%. “All members of the diaspora who want to invest in North Macedonia will get financial assistance amounting to 15% of investment expenses, not exceeding EUR 1,000,000,” Bekteshi underlined. Support, he added, is set to stimulate balanced regional development. “For the first time, all investments outside Skopje will receive additional support,” the Minister stressed. He called on current and new investors to submit applications to the Agency for Foreign Investments and the Free Zones Authority by August 16. “Legal changes aim to encourage economic growth and development, by supporting investments that enhance economic competitiveness and employment. These changes and additions will broaden the scope of financial support for technological development and research, as well as for investment projects of significant economic interest, establishment and promotion of cooperation with suppliers and overtaking enterprises dealing with difficulties and market competitiveness,” Bekteshi said, adding that financial support users are obliged to maintain the investment for at least five years after receiving assistance.