Russian Co. to invest 6m Euros in Eastern Macedonia

Russian company will invest EUR 6 million for the construction of a facility for processing of meat industry waste in Macedonia's east, said Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski after the completion of the country's economic presentation in Russia.

"As a result of the contacts we had here with the investor, as well as previous activities by the Macedonian promoter in Moscow, we can say with high degree of certainty that a fresh Russian investment is pending in Macedonia", said Stavreski.

The plant will process meat industry waste, which is to be used for medical and other purposes following the bio-technological process.

 According to Stavreski, the investor is set to come to Macedonia by the end of April and register a firm.

"Besides the importance of the investment, the most significant thing is the opening of new jobs, thus mitigating the unemployment problem in Macedonia's east", underlined the FinMin.

Japan, Macedonia agree to boost tourism, study, business exchanges

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his visiting Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski agreed Wednesday to boost their countries' tourism, study and business exchanges, Japanese officials said.
Gruevski, the first Macedonian prime minister to visit Japan, voiced hope that his visit will strengthen bilateral ties, after Noda thanked the Balkan country for its aid for Japan in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Gruevski also expressed his country's intention to open an embassy in Japan, the Foreign Ministry said.At the outset of their meeting, which was open to the press, Noda assured his visitor that "reconstruction in disaster-hit areas is underway and the supply chains have almost fully recovered.
"Macedonia, which gained its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, is aiming for economic development through foreign capital.

German Companies to invest in Macedonia

Several companies from Germany have announced their investments in Macedonia. The agreements are being finalized, but the Macedonian government team has not revealed the names of the German companies yet.
Allegedly, they operate in automobile industry. As soon as the agreements are completed, it will be known which companies responded positively to the government promotion of Macedonia as an attractive business destination.
Interest of German investors has been steadfast and Macedonia can expect more investments from Germany in the coming period, says Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski.
The coming period is very important for the country. Two corridors, Corridor 8 and Corridor 10 have to be completed, economy minister Vladimir Pesevski said.

Emir of Qatar to visit Macedonia on Monday

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, will arrive on Monday (Oct. 17) for a two-day official visit to the Republic of Macedonia upon an invitation by President Gjorge Ivanov.
This is the first official visit by a ruler from the Arab world since Macedonia declared independence. The Emir of Qatar kicks off his European tour in Macedonia, followed by visits to Albania, Poland and Ukraine.On Tuesday, according to the agenda, the Emir of Qatar is scheduled to meet with Premier Nikola Gruevski and with Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski. He is also set to tour Skopje's landmarks and the Old Bazaar.
The visit is significant because it lays a foundation for the political dialogue to be resumed and represents a strong signal for intensifying overall cooperation, especially business ties, President's cabinet says in a press release on Friday.The Macedonian President and the Emir of Qatar at their meeting on Monday will discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in Balkan countries, the Middle East and North Africa.
An emphasis will be put on advancing countries' economic relations - boosting trade exchange and reviewing possibilities for direct Qatar investments in Macedonia's economy.Several bilateral agreements in the field of culture, education, health and economy will be signed during Qatar Emir's visit to Macedonia, reads the press release.
The governments of the Republic of Macedonia and the State of Qatar will ink treaties on mutual promotion and protection of investments, regulation of workers' employment in the State of Qatar and on visa abolition for owners of diplomatic, official and special passports.Both delegations will sign a memorandum of understanding for tourism cooperation between Macedonia's Ministry of Economy and Qatar's relevant body for tourism, a memorandum of understanding in the field of education between the two governments, a memorandum of cooperation in the health-care sector as well as cooperation accord in the sphere of culture.
Furthermore, an agreement for cooperation and information exchange between the Macedonian Information Agency and the Qatar News Agency, a memorandum of understanding between the Macedonian Economic Chamber, the Association of Chambers of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Northwestern Macedonia and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as an agreement establishing common business council will be signed.In 2003, Qatar provided financial and political support for the summit of SEE heads of state entitled "Dialogue Among Civilisations", which was initiated by late president Boris Trajkovski.
Macedonia will once again host the summit in 2013, ten years after it was held for the first time.
Macedonia was one of the first countries in the region that opened a diplomatic and consular office in Doha in 2005. Interest has been shown for opening Qatar's embassy in Macedonia in due time, Ivanov's cabinet has said.
Ivanov and Al Thani have held talks previously in 2009 in New York and in 2010 in Doha.
The Qatari delegation will be made up of 100 members, including two members of the royal family and 12 ministers.
During Qatar Emir's two-day visit, the citizens of Skopje will be faced with traffic restrictions.

German Auto Industry Interested in Investing in Macedonia

Successful story of Knauf Radika in Macedonia attracts other German investors. According to the Macedonian-German Economic Association, Knauf Radika is an excellent example. It is a large and successful company with a potential that needs to be used.
According to announcements, another two large German automobile industries are interested in investing in Macedonia, especially because of very favourable business climate.
Knauf Radika, whose products are made in accordance with global standards and demanded across the entire world, continues with its investments with a goal to raise productivity, Todor Delovski, head of Knauf for the Western Balkans, says.

Johnson Controls starts new Euro 20 mln investment in Shtip

"Johnson Controls" - the US auto interiors manufacturer - is launching its second investment in Macedonia in amount of approximately Euro 20 million. Contracts are due to be signed in the next two to three weeks, while the construction of a plant located in the Stip Technological and Industrial Zone will start in mid-October.

Premier Nikola Gruevski, who met Friday with Macedonia's project manager Steven Meylemans, said country's good business conditions have been acknowledged since the company decided to invest in Macedonia for the second time. "This investment will be a serious contribution to the Macedonian economy," the PM said.

"It is particularly significant that the company, which is multinational and famous around the world, has decided to invest in Macedonia for the second time. International investors seeking places to invest will notice this in no time. When a company decides to launch a second investment in the same country it means that it is satisfied with the conditions, communication with authorities as well as with other factors necessary for a good business climate. The plant, despite opening new jobs, is expected to boost Macedonia's export and to improve the living standards of local residents," PM Gruevski stated.

He added that the company's decision was seen as a recognition of Government's efforts made in recent years to advance business conditions and to attract investors. In 2007 and 2008, the PM noted, an important investment wave began when many companies had either started building or reserved a location for construction after signing a cooperation memorandum.

"Unfortunately, the global economic crisis halted most of the constructions, not only in Macedonia, but also in other countries as well. As the global economic crisis is lessening, the interest for building production plants, including in Macedonia, is mounting. Almost two months following the June elections, this is the fourth company to announce start of construction activities in Macedonia," PM Gruevski said after the meeting.

He noted that the Government will make efforts to enable the company to launch the construction of a plant in Stip in mid-October.

Meylemans said Macedonia was picked as a business destination, because it is competitive and first and foremost due to the support and professionalism offered by domestic institutions.

The plant will focus on producing car seat covers. Offering 1.400 jobs, it is expected to start its operations within a year to serve its European clients.

Macedonian Sun Attractive to Foreigners

Wines of Macedonia

The Macedonian Energy Agency has received 57 requests for the construction of solar power plants. Interest in the construction of solar power plants has increased drastically, especially among foreign investors.

A year ago, Macedonia had only one solar power plant, and now it has ten, some of which have already been finished, while others are in the final construction phase.
Most potential investors (35 of them) are foreign investors or combined Macedonian and foreign companies, which want to built power plants of bigger capacity.
Information for investments in Macedonia, should be found at: http://investinmacedonia.com