First Snow on Shar Mountain

Popova Sapka condition - 10.10.2011

Shar mountain and ski resort Popova Shapka are under a blanket of snow. Most of the ski resort is covered by 5cm snow blanket, while the higher regions of Shar mountain are covered with snow exceeding 20cm, inform Popova shapka hoteliers.
It snowed the entire night, however rain in the morning melted some of the snow.
Ski organization 'Popova Shapka' says they are ready for the upcoming winter season, they have corrected two ski runs, the only thing they are waiting on is snow.
It would appear there will be plenty of snow this year as well. Most of the Balkan region had been covered by snow, earlier than anticipated. Bosnia, Slovenia and Croatia were covered in snow two weeks ago.
http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/destinations/popova-sapka/webcam

Makpetrol Sets up Shop in Solun/Thessaloniki

Macedonian fuel retailer Makpetrol [MSE: MPT] said it set up a fully-owned subsidiary in Greece, Petrolmak S.A., with a capital of 350,000 euro ($472,600).
Makpetrol’s Greek unit is headquartered in Solun as its main business is trade with oil and oil derivates, the company said in a statement to the Macedonian Stock Exchange yesterday.

AGROKOR opens distribution centre in Strumica

Agrokor

Croatian company AGROKOR opened Sunday in Strumica “AgroFructus” purchasing and distribution centre for vegetables and fruits worth EUR 20 million. The capacity of the centre is around 60.000 tonnes with tendency to soon increase to 100.000 tonnes.

- The value of investment is very important, but what is more important is the fact that it will bring safe purchase and distribution, larger incomes and bigger competition, PM Nikola Gruevski said addressing the opening ceremony of “AgroFructus” distribution centre.

Gruevski said that the centre is new start for the Macedonian agriculture especially in relation to distribution and will be an example from standards point of view for all future potential investors.

- In the time we are living the private sector realises the distribution. From hereon is the task of the Republic of Macedonia to attract investors that will build more such centres, Gruevski said.

Government besides providing distribution also it increased subsidies and intensively works on agricultural land distribution, Gruevski said.

“AgroFructus” is only the beginning of investments that AGROKOR is planning in the country. Ivica Todoric, chairman of company’s management, said that another similar facility will be built close to “AgroFructus” and also other centres in other regions in the country.

- This capacity that Macedonia has in relation to quality and ecological conditions must be used. Only in this way we will increase the competition of production and this will mean better living standards for the citizens, Todoric said.

Thanking the Macedonian Government for the support, Todoric pointed out that Gruevski did not allow time to be wasted in regard to realisation of the investment.

The largest world investors are prepared to come here. It is excellent news for Macedonia, Todoric said and confirmed that AGROKOR considers other investments in Macedonia.

So far the company purchased and exported from Strumica region around 30.000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables and from Valandovo region around 10 million litres of wine.

Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply Ljupco Dimovski, Deputy Agriculture Minister Zoran Konjanovski and other officials of local self-government and MPs attended the opening ceremony.

200,000 Euros in Subsidies for Tour Ops who bring Foreign Tourists

By now, some EUR 200,000 in subsidies has been paid to tour operators who brought foreign tourists to Macedonia. The Macedonian Ministry of Economy has informed that even more means have been provided for this purpose for the next year. 

Some EUR 1 million has been projected for 2012. In the meantime, applications for subsidies for July and August are ongoing. Tourists from the Netherlands, Russia and Denmark come to Macedonia, says Zoran Nikolovski of the Ministry of Economy. 

The authorities are overwhelmed by the increase in the number of tourists coming to Macedonia. They expect higher foreign currency influx and Macedonia to be put on the global tourist maps.

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.

Greeks often cross Macedonian border to shop

Macedonia is becoming a spending paradise not just for ethnic Macedonian from Greece, but also for Greeks. Inhabitants of Greek towns situated near the border with Macedonia go often to the neighbouring country, where they leave EUR 4 million a month, show the data of the Kukus Chamber of Commerce.
Customers from Kukus make one-day trips to Skopje in search of cheaper medical services, wardrobe and cheaper gasoline, explains the head of the trade department at the Kukus Chamber of Commerce. Many Greeks also visit casinos in Macedonia.
This trend has been present for ten years and has become even more conspicuous due to the crisis in Greece and great price differences, which reach up to 50 percent for certain products. The Greek government wants to solve the problem since it affects its local economy.

Independence Day observed through number of events

On occasion of the 20. anniversary of Macedonia's independence, the Parliament will hold Wednesday a formal session.
A solemn academy will be held in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet in the evening, addressed by President Gjorge Ivanov.Moreover, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski hosts a meeting for all former PMs - Branko Crvenkovski, Ljubco Georgievski, Hari Kostov and Vlado Buckovski.
The meeting is of symbolic character, sending message of the nation's unity, the Government has said.

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.

Indian Company Building Two Plants in Macedonia

Indian Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG) will lay Wednesday a cornerstone for construction of two plants at the Technological and Industrial Development Zone Skopje 1.

Earlier, a memorandum of understanding and agreements for lease of land and for allocating state aid with regard to the two investments are set to be signed with the company.

The memo of understanding will be signed by SMG chairman Vivek Chaand Sehgal and Viktor Mizo - director of the Macedonian Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion.

PM Nikola Gruevski, who is expected to meet with representatives of the Indian company, will also attend the signing of the contracts and the cornerstone laying ceremony.

Burger King Coming to Macedonia

TAB Foods, the master franchisee operating over 500 chain restaurants in Turkey for Burger King, Popeye’s, Sbarro and Arby’s, is set to open several restaurants in Macedonia, MINA has learned. 

The first Burger King restaurant is set to open on August 30 at Skopje airport “Alexander the Great”. 

“We will open our first restaurant in Skopje Airport on Aug. 30, and three more Burger King restaurants will open in Macedonia before the end of the year,” said Caner Dikici, general manager of TAB Foods.