Labour and Welfare Minister Dime Spasov called on all unemployed persons in Macedonia to use the opportunity to apply for one of the four business credit line programs, or for the program allowing use of state-owned arable land. The programs are meant for young people willing to start their own business, or for welfare recipients who want to begin farming.

"Out of the four credit lines, two are directly meant for persons under 29 who wish to become self-employed. They can receive credit lines of up to 5.000 EUR for themselves and additional 4.000 EUR for each of the new jobs they will create, or a total of 23.000 EUR. The terms are lenient, with an interest rate of only 1 percent over 7 years", Spasov said during his press conference on Monday.

Speaking about the program that is open to would-be farmers, Minister Spasov added that the program puts 133 hectares of state owned arable land in 11 municipalities on offer for all families that are receiving welfare. Applicants will need to register as individual farmers, but will not lose their welfare subsidies at least in the first two years of farming.

Spasov said that the active employment measures for self-employment, that have been available since 2007, have opened nearly 4.000 jobs so far. Most of the business incubator credits have gone to opening service oriented companies, software companies, small restaurants, public relations agencies