Skopje, 25 November 2022 (MIA) – The Government approved a draft project for strategic investment in the Popova Shapka Ski Center at the session held Friday. “This is a large investment project that is the result of our efforts to protect natural values in a way that, in addition to providing maximum protection, will also provide conditions for socio-economic development and the opportunity for our natural beauties to be attractive, European and to attract tourists from all over the world, to bring income to the state, and to open new jobs and new economic opportunities for the citizens," said Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Naser Nuredini. He noted that there is a serious bidder for the development of the Popova Shapka ski resort. Nuredini revealed that the government has received a serious offer from the renowned European company from South Tyrol, TechnoAlpin – a world leader in the production and installation of artificial snow systems, a recognized expert in the design of ski fields and ski areas, with 30 years of experience, 16 subsidiaries around the world and 600 employees. "This company, after conducting research, offered an ambitious plan for the development, innovation and growth of the Popova Shapka Ski Center, which is characterized by the modernization of the existing ski area and its territorial expansion, improvement of the primary infrastructure necessary for the development of the area, with quantitative and qualitative improvement of the tourist accommodation activity, with the inclusion of new facilities for adjusting the tourist offer to the current requirements of the tourist market and expanding it," the Minister said. He clarified that this is a strategic partnership with the Popova Shapka Ski Center, with an ambitious project valued at EUR 186 million which includes the renovation of existing facilities, the installation of a snowmaking system, the expansion of the existing ski area with new facilities and trails, renovation and expansion of hotels, construction of new hotel facilities, construction of parking lots, bicycle paths and creation of other recreational activities, with which this center will have the opportunity to be placed among the most modern European winter centers. “The investment should be realized starting from 2023 and will be realized in six investment phases, the first of which amounts to approximately EUR 55 million," Nuredini pointed out. Tourism in the Macedonian mountains, despite experiencing a positive trend, the Minister added, has a strong need to massively renovate the existing facilities in order to meet the current quality standards required by the market, and the long-term lack of investment has led to a serious lag and underutilization of development opportunities and capacities of tourism. dk/ba/