Kromberg & Schubert plant opens

Plant of German company Kromberg & Schubert opened in Bitola industrial zone Zabeni on Friday. The investment is estimated at EUR 20 million, opening 2,500 jobs.

The plant opens after a one-year construction and training of employees. It is comprised of four operational units - cables, networks, plastic technology and mechatronics.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said the Government has done everything to develop the Zabeni industrial zone, in order to meet the investor's requirements and needs.

"The result of these activities was positive, since the company confirmed its interest in the competition of many countries, selecting Macedonia as the destination of their investment, worth over EUR 20 million", said PM Gruevski.

According to him, the significance and benefits from the entry of "Kromberg and Schubert" in Macedonia are indisputable, since the company secures new jobs and contributes to increase of exports.

"The entire Pelagonija region has already felt the benefits from this factory. There have been numerous job ads, with more than 800 people already employed in the plant. Another 200 jobs are to open by the year-end, another 1,000 in 2014, and gradually up to 2,500 by the end of 2015", added Gruevski.

He added the company would contribute to Macedonia's global exports.

"The cooperation with Kromberg & Schubert represents a foundation for further strengthening of economic and political relations with Germany, which is one of Macedonia's most significant partners. The company is well-respected at the world market, which is excellent for our country in being perceived as a favorable and attractive business destination. That is why I believe the presence of Kromberg & Schubert will draw other similar companies to invest in Macedonia", underlined PM Gruevski.

Kromberg & Schubert" is a German family firm with a 100-year-long history. With over thousands of employees around the world, the firm produces hi-tech products, such as  on-board networks, cables, plastic technology and mechatronics.

Bitola and Thessaloniki based theatre with a joint play

Small Drama Theatre-Bitola and Solun-based theatre "Andreas Voutsinas" have launched the preparations for play "Rhesus" by Euripides, along with a joint exhibition of antique masks from comedies and dramas.

Project "Interacting through Acting: From drama to contemporary arts", funded by EU's IPA cross-border cooperation programme, started in Solun on January 26.

Seminars tackling educational and social themes will be held in Bitola and Solun within the project, along with other accompanying activities.

Bitola coldest city with -19

Bitola, Tetovo and Berovo Thursday morning are the coldest cities in Macedonia. The temperature measured at 7a.m. in Bitola has been -19C and -17C in Tetovo and Berovo.

In Skopje the measured temperatures early Thursday have been -16C, -12C in Kriva Palanka, Stip, Prilep, Kumanovo and Mavrovo, -11C in Strumica and Krusevo, -10C in Demir Kapija and Debar, -9C in Ohrid, Vinica and Kavadarci, -6C in Pretor, -3C in Dojran and -2C in Gevgelija.

Hydrometeorological Service reports that arctic temperatures will remain all day long.

Bitola joins regional project on protection of cultural heritage

Bitola with its old bazaar is one of the seven sites in Southeast Europe included in the Cherplan project, which aims at improving cultural heritage by planning the environment and management. The project is supported by UNESCO and financed by the European Union's IPA funds.

EUR 124.000 have been provided to realise Cherplan in Bitola and it is one of the four projects implemented in Macedonia with respect to cultural heritage protection with IPA funds.

Cherplan's (www.cherplan.eu) long-term goal is to enable sustainable development in historical towns, stimulation of social-economic development, improvement of the quality of living and opening of new jobs.

The project, planned to be closed in February 2014, will be promoted in 2014 together with the projects conducted by the remaining six countries - Aquileia (Italy), Berat (Albania), Cetinje (Montenegro), Hallstatt (Austria), Idrija (Slovenia) and Naupactus (Greece).

Bitola and the town's old bazaar have been proposed by experts on protection of cultural heritage. It has been concluded that Bitola with the old bazaar is the most adequate site for Cherplan.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska told a press conference on Wednesday that Cherplan was a regional example of establishing cooperation between cultural institutions focused on sustainable use of the cultural heritage and its significance in the country's social and economic development.

"Activities in Macedonia are focused on the important landmark, Bitola's old bazaar, which have witnessed the fulfilled business and cultural life of the town of consuls. The project's goal is to revitalise the bazaar in Bitola. A strategy of reviving the Bitola old bazaar with an action and business plan and a management plan on protecting the environment will be prepared in the future," Kanceska-Milevska said.

French actress Catherine Deneuve to attend 33. Manaki Brothers festival

French actress Catherine Deneuve will be an exclusive guest at the 33. International Cinematographers Film Festival "Manaki Brothers", held in Bitola on September 15-21.

Deneuve is the laureate of special award "Golden Camera 300", which will be presented at the festival's opening.

Manaki Brothers festival director Labina Mitevska said at Monday's press conference that Deneuve would stay in Macedonia for four days.

"Deneuve will hold an hour-long meeting with film lovers, journalists, students, authors on September 16, followed by the screening of film 'The Last Metro' in her honor", added Mitevska.

Catherine Deneuve has starred in 114 films. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in "Indochine" and won a César award for that film and "The Last Metro" (1980)

6th Lokumfest begins in Bitola

The 6. Lokumfest, including artists from Macedonia and abroad, has started in Bitola.

A photograph exhibition titled "Handicrafts in Bitola" is held in culture center "Magaza" in cooperation with the regional crafts' chamber.

The event will also include performances by musical ensembles "Kolektif Istanbul" from Turkey, "Kynnes Kabale" from Denmark, "Orthodox Celts" from Serbia, "Ofir" from Spain, along with Macedonia's "Sirma Vojvoda" and "Starovski Band".

The Bitola craftsmen association is the event's partner, with members holding exhibits of authentic creations and antiques during the festival.

Bitola, Thessaloniki mayors sign declaration of cooperation

Thessaloniki, 24 May 2012 (MIA) - The mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki - Vladimir Talevski and Yiannis Boutaris - signed a declaration for cooperation and joint promotion before EU funds within the INTERREG and IPA programmes with a project "Cultural Industries", MIA reported from Thessaloniki.

Taleski and Boutaris at their joint meeting held yesterday in Thessaloniki discussed cooperation in the field of culture, tourism, new technologies and education.

"Our embraces are wide open. In order to cooperate in various spheres, a special protocol with clear cooperation strategy will be prepared soon.  Despite the fact that the two countries have some political differences, the two friendly nations share a lot of ties that need to be developed," Boutaris said after the meeting.

In addition to Thessaloniki, Bitola has established cooperation with several Greek cities, including Florina, Edessa and Kastoria. Yesterday's talks were the first official meeting between mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki.

Taleski said the cooperation between the two cities was in the interest of Macedonian and Greek citizens. "We are convinced that the absurd issue will be settled and life on both sides of the border will be much better," mayor Talevski stated.

The "Cultural Industries" project is an introduction into a wider and bigger cooperation, Taleski and Boutaris concluded.

Four souvenir Shops open in Skopje

Four souvenir shops opened in downtown Skopje on Wednesday, first of the 20 unified tourism-cultural points in several Macedonian cities (Ohrid, Bitola, Struga, Berovo etc) and three border crossings (Tabanovce, Bogorodica and Deve Bair).
The shops sell replicas of displays in the Museum of Macedonia - items excavated at archaeological sites or applications of authentic jewelry, copies of the monuments throughout the country, puzzles, key chains, magnets etc.
Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska said souvenirs aim towards cultural and tourism promotion, but are also intended for Macedonian citizens.
"These shops are of enormous significance for Macedonia's tourism promotion. There is a large spectre of items, whereas prices are lower compared to other countries", added Kanceska-Milevska.

Macedonia signs 90m euros Power Plant deal with Bilfinger Berger

Bilfinger Berger is expanding its presence in the promising markets of Southeastern Europe with a major order in power plant service: the Group will modernize all three boilers in the lignite-burning power plant “TPP Bitola” which is part of JSC Macedonian Power Plants, the largest electricity generation company in Macedonia.
The order has a volume of about €90 million and additionally covers the long-term repair and maintenance of the facility. “TPP Bitola” is the most important power plant in the country and provides more than three quarters of Macedonia's electricity needs.
With the modernization, Bilfinger Berger is making a decisive contribution to the reduction of emissions at the power plant and to ensuring that it meets modern environmental standards.In the countries of Eastern Europe, great efforts are being undertaken to fulfill established climate protection requirements. In the next five years, up to 30 conventional power plants in Eastern European countries are to be modernized.
Macedonia is the first country to be follow through with its modernization plans.

Bitola at -22 C, River Dragor Freezes

Yesterday night and today, Bitola is under freez warning with the temperature plummeting -22 degrees.
Bitola has turned into a ghost town, with only a few indiduals brave enough to go outside mostly because they need to take care of daily chores. The rest are tucked in their homes.
For the first time, the Dragor river is frozen, all of it.
Several dozen families have no water because of bursting of their plumbing pipes. A great number of car batteries went bad, and drivers have not been able to start their cars.

Bitola Museum nominated for European award "Luigi Micheletti"

National institution Bureau and Museum-Bitola, which pays special attention to museum operations in line with European standards, has been nominated for European award "Luigi Michelleti", presented by the European Museum Academy (EMA).
EMA national coordinator Gordan Nikolov and EMA official Andreja Rihter said 21 European museums compete for the award.
Nikolov said the Bitola museum was the only Macedonian nominee, since it meets the EMA criteria."The Bitola Museum is visible everywhere. One can see everything at its website, which is unfortunately not the case with other museums. It includes practical information for every visitor, which is owed to the excellent management of this national institution", added Nikolov.
Museum director Liljana Hristova said another EMA monitoring team would visit Bitola in the course of January, in light of the final decision for the "Luigi Micheletti" award.
The Luigi Micheletti Award, established in 1996, is the European prize for innovative museums in the world of industry, science and technics.

Kromberg & Schubert in Bitola

Germany-based company Kromberg & Schubert will start building a plant in Bitola in December. The long awaited plant for production of car cables will start employing workers as of May. At first, it will hire 500 people and then the number will grow to 2,500 people.
Moreover, another six investments in Bitola are expected. They pertain to construction of hotels, but some investors are also interested in timber, food and milk industry. In the meantime, the government’s team presented investment possibilities in Macedonia last week.
Several Austrian and German companies have already announced that they are interested in investing in Macedonia. Allegedly, Siemens and BMW are among the interested investors. Moreover, the government team has already agreed cooperation with Teksport, which already has two plants in Macedonia.