ARC Automotive Macedonia, an airbag inflator manufacturer built in the Bunardzik industrial zone in Skopje, marked Monday the start of its production process. The U.S.-based company Cap-Con Automotive Technologie invested $18 million in the construction of the plant.

So far, 75 jobs have been opened in the factory, which are part of a total of 400 jobs expected to be created by the investor. The company will be export-oriented with products intended to be sold primarily on the European market.

“The list of large, international companies that have opened plants in Macedonia as of today is expanded with the American investor Cap-Con,” Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said at a ceremony.

The plant, he added, is equipped with state-of-the-art machines and highly sophisticated production lines.

“The investor’s plans do not end here and in the future the company is planning on investing in a technical center, designed as an additional engineering support to the entire capacity,” Gruevski stated praising the company’s openness to cooperate with several Macedonian suppliers of materials.

New plants are the country’s biggest promoters, according to him. “I hope that Cap-Con’s example will be followed by many other international companies… The plant will operate next to other investors in the industrial zones, such as Visteon, Johnson Matthey, Kemet Electronics, Van Hool, Prodis, Diatek, etc.”

Euro 12 million have been invested so far in machines and equipment. “The plant in Macedonia will be our main focus on the European market,” said Cap-Con CEO Ali El-Haj.

“Highly sophisticated production lines mixed with qualified local staff will enable us to produce only top quality products, which will be sent to our consumers. We plan to increase production in the coming weeks up to 2,5 million units a year. ARC also plans to double this capacity in the next six months in order to manufacture up to 6 million airbag inflators,” stated El-Haj.

Every new investment, every new factory in Macedonia brings better standards for the citizens, increased production and exports of goods, better results for the Macedonian economy, according to Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski.

Cap-Con’s investment, he added, is a confirmation of the favorable business climate in Macedonia.

A contract for the investment in Bunardzik industrial zone was signed in December 2014 by representatives of the government and the company Cap-Con.