Skopje 26th September 2012 (MIA) – Dutch company VPTEX started the realization of its investment in Macedonia, being worth EUR 2 million. Factory will produce protective equipment. Production will be intended for foreign markets, mainly for the Benelux countries, by which 180 new jobs will be created.
Cornerstone was laid today by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Vice Prime Minister Zoran Stavreski, Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski together with the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Macedonia Mariette Shurman, Director of Dutch Company Hub Zewald and Mayor of Ilinden Municipality Zika Stojanovski.
– This investment is another proof of the cumulative inflow of Dutch direct investments in our country and improvement of bilateral trade between both countries. This is a confirmation for us that Dutch investors believe in the good macroeconomic fundamentals and the favourable business climate, being a feature of Macedonia, Prime Minister Gruevski said during the laying of the corner stone in Ilinden Municipality.
He stressed that the trend of new foreign investments in the country retains its dynamics, adding that more than two years were spent for reaching this phase, that is starting the factory construction.
Prime Minister announced that, in future, the Government will continue to improve the business climate in the country, promote Macedonia investment opportunities abroad with direct contact with the companies and partnership relations with the business sector in the country.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski said that opening of the new factory shows that investments are made where there is good business climate, pointing out that it is important that such investments are made in conditions of economic crisis and when only few people decide to invest. – If you read today’s European newspapers in Europe, you will find only few examples of factory being opened or a cornerstone for production plant being laid in Europe. It is exactly this fact that gives special importance to today’s start of the construction of this factory in Macedonia. This means that what we did in the past period as a state, what we do as a Government to improve the business climate, yields results and this example today, as well as many other examples recently, show that Macedonia remains wanted destination for investments, Minister said.
According to him, it is a result of the confidence this company acquired in its cooperators in Macedonia, the labour force Macedonia offers and the manner in which it operates, and as he emphasized, it will contribute not only to job creation, but also to increase of both export and the prosperity of the region, where it is located.
According to the Director of the Dutch company, this investment will contribute for them to become more competitive and for the community where it operates to develop.
– Good access and good business climate was one of the reasons due to which we decided to invest in Macedonia, Zewald said.
Dutch Ambassador stressed that the laying of this cornerstone is proof of the long-lasting partnership between the two countries.
– Investment express the trust of Dutch companies in Macedonia, Shurman said.
Mayor of Ilinden Municipality said by today’s laying of the cornerstone of this factory, Ilinden Municipality obtains the 110 investor.
According to him, this investment, as for Ilinden Municipality, means large benefit, economic development, reduction of unemployment rate, as well as new investments.
Dutch factory is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Its long-time presence is a result of the long-lasting cooperation with Macedonia since 1963. This is second Dutch greenfield investment in the last year. Factory will produce lower specific orders with short delivery deadline. As for the production, the sale has been already agreed. It is expected for it to start operating in seven to eight months.