Government opens investment zones across Macedonia

In an attempt to attract foreign investments, the Government at a session has reached a decision to establish new technological industrial zone in Strumica.

The zone, covering an area of 24.800 square meters, will be equipped with energy, telecommunications, water management systems, where an administrative building and a customs terminal will be also located, Government spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev told a press conference on Wednesday.

"The zone will be of great importance for the local economic development of the region of Strumica. After completing all procedures, activities to construct the zone will be launched in the first quarter of 2013," Gjorgiev said.

The Government in line with the action plan, he added, is carrying out procedures to open technological industrial zones in Kicevo, Tetovo, Prilep, Gevgelija, Rankovce, Struga and Radovis as well.

"The opening of these zones demonstrates the Government's clear commitment to attract investments across the whole state. It will bring fresh quality in the business life of these regions and aims at enabling conditions for balanced economic development, the spokesman said.

Tourists replace Ohrid with downtown Skopje

According to stats published by the Tourism Bureau the "Centar" municipality which encompasses downtown Skopje is the most visited town in Macedonia for the month of May.

Ohrid came in second. According to the stats, Centar for the month of may saw a 40% increase in foreign tourists in comparison to the same month in 2011. 

Skopje itself has also recorded an uptick in foreign visits. In 2009 111,281 foreign tourists visited the capital. In 2010, 114,663 and in 2011 130,726 foreign tourists visited Skopje. 

According to official stats, 80% of the tourists stayed in downtown.

This uptick in foreign tourists is attributed to the Skopje 2014 project.

2nd Fair of Transport and Logistics opens in Skopje

Overhaul and construction of new projects in road and rail infrastructure will contribute to improving the state of Macedonian transportation and logistic sector, anticipating the economy to be revived.

This was concluded Wednesday at the opening of the second International Fair of Transport and Logistics, which brings together over 30 representatives of transportation and logistic companies from Macedonia and the region.

Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said that transport and logistic were one of the key factors in boosting trade exchange and contributed to improving the business climate, instigating economic development and connecting global economic courses.

"The government will resume its efforts and activities to improve road infrastructure and create conditions to develop the transportation sector," Saraqini said opening the fair.

Regional maritime ports in Thessaloniki and Durres, MCS shipping company and Chinese Cosco shipping company through Thessaloniki port, Macedonian Railroads Transport Skopje, FEDEX, Fershped, and many other companies are going to be promoted at the fair.

The 2nd International Fair of Transport and Logistics runs till September 29.

EBRD awards companies with the best energy projects

"Evropa" - Skopje, "Kontihidroplast" - Gevgelija, "Kiro Dandaro" - Bitola and "Betasped" are some of the companies that invested in energy efficiency projects with EBRD funds. The WeBSEFF sustainable energy efficiency awards were presented Monday at a ceremony.

The business sector, the government and financial institutions concur that it is necessary and profitable to invest in energy efficiency.

Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said the awards showed that Macedonian companies were starting to invest in energy efficiency.

He noted that the government remained focused on improving energy efficiency and urging renewable energy sources to be used more since it was "a vital segment for the economy in the country."

EU Ambassador Aivo Orav stated that the energy efficiency of companies would not only cut down energy costs, but it would also improve their competitiveness.

EUR 12 million have been envisaged for energy efficiency projects in Macedonia through the WebSEFF (Western Balkans Sustainable Energy Financing Facility) programme.

WeBSEFF is a EUR 60 million credit line set up by the EBRD and available from local bank for investments that results in more sustainable energy use.

ONE marks 10. anniversary in Macedonia

Company ONE marked Friday a decade at the Macedonian market.

"Over the past 10 years, the company developed but also changed. Today, the company is successfully operating at the telecommunications market, representing a significant part of Macedonia's economy. I am convinced over the company's future, taking into account the human potential, experience, innovation and professionalism of employees", said ONE Chief Executive Director Ciril Kafol.

ONE is the company's name since 2009, merging Cosmofon, On.Net and Germanos. The company is a member of Telekom Slovenia Group, one of the most successful groups in SEE, with subsidiaries in Kosovo, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Albania, as well as 50-percent ownership in Gibraltar's national operator "Gibtelecom".

Milcho Manchevski awarded

President Gjorge Ivanov will present Tuesday "National Artist of Macedonia" award to film director Milcho Manchevski.

President Ivanov and Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska will address award ceremony.

"National Artist of Macedonia," the first such recognition in the country, was presented last year to pianist Simon Trpcheski.

Macedonian wine to be exported in China

Seven Macedonian wineries from the association "Wines from Macedonia" will export wines to the Chinese market. The wineries signed a contract with the Chinese importer and distributor "Tianjin".

Nearly 456 thousand bottles are planned to be exported in the first year. The contract is valued at one and a half million euros in the first year only. The export is planned to be kicked off in coming days.

"China is a destination which is aimed by wineries to achieve good results because traditional economies have been hit by recession and have been implementing austerity measures, whereas China is registering economic growth. At the moment, China is considered as a huge market with potential and this contract probably confirms it," the acting executive director of the "Wines from Macedonia" association, Gjorgi Petrusev told a press conference on Monday.

What lingers on as a challenge for the future, Petrusev said, is to change the perception of foreign consumers that Macedonia has solid cheap wine. "The challenge to promote ourselves and prove that high quality wines are produced in Macedonia still remains," he added.

The director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Visar Fida voiced content with the agreement. "The Chinese importer was visited during the government's road show in May in China. We are pleased that already there are results," Fida said.

Thus far, Macedonian wine was promoted in New York, Chicago, Washington and Finland, while presentations are scheduled to take place in Poland and the Netherlands next month.

Skopje Blues & Soul Festival 2012

Skopje Blues & Soul Festival 2012 organised by the Directorate of Culture and Arts will be held Tuesday evening in the Universal Hall.

Macedonian blues guitarist Igor Atanasovski with his band 'Guru Hare' and pianist Petar Lukic  as well as Marcus Malone Band (USA/UK) will perform Tuesday evening.

Ducks Can Groove band (Sweden) and Stan Skibby guitarist and his band will perform at the second festival night which will be a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.

State Archives to donate books to St. Jovan Bigorski monastery

The State Archives of the Republic of Macedonia will donate Friday a collection of books to the library in "St. Jovan Bigorski" monastery, which was burned down three years ago.

The book collection consists of monographs for famous persons of Macedonian history as well as documents which cover the most important phases and events in establishment of the Macedonian statehood, State Archives said in a press release.

Macedonia and Norway sign Transport Liberalization

Macedonia and Norway have agreed on liberalization of bilateral and transit transport for vehicles possessing Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards, following the signing of a protocol at the meeting of the mixed committee on international road transport, held in Oslo on September 12-13.

The protocol also refers to a contingent of 150 bilateral transit permits for Euro 3 vehicles, as well as 20 bilateral transit permits for Euro 2 vehicles and those with lower standards.

A contingent of permits for transport to and from third countries, which is by 125 percent higher compared to the previous quota, has also been agreed, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.