The Macedonian Government will introduce a package of several measures to support metal-processing companies to mitigate the consequences of the European crisis and prevent massive layoffs as it is the case in other countries across the continent.

“A €30million package, part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) lending funds, will support metal-processing companies, offer extension of the deadline for acquiring an environment protection licence, speed up the activities for settling the ownership rights of the land of former Skopje ironworks company 'Zelezara', where most of the above mentioned companies are located”, Government spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev told reporters on Thursday.

“The measures also foresee setting up balance groups for planning the electric power production and consumption, as well as modernization of the railway network and vehicle fleet in favour of advancing the transportation of metal industry products”, Gjorgiev said.