Cornerstone laying ceremony of new Technological Industrial Development Zone "Prilep" was held Saturday in Alinci, Prilep.

Marking the start of construction works, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that cold weather could slow down but will not stop the government's intentions to do more for construction of Technological Industrial Development Zone.

He expressed satisfaction that Prilep municipality is establishing the industrial zone "Prilep 1" with fast tempo and soon the construction will begin and new jobs will open. Simultaneously the municipality works on three new industrial zones, he underlined.

The large investors in this zone will open new jobs. The zone covers an area of 67 hectares with a possibility to expansion to another 35 hectares connected with road, water, electricity system and sewerage network, Gruevski said.

He underlined the huge importance of technological industrial development zones in the country emphasising that because of this all zones in the country should be constructed as soon as possible.

Director of the Technological Industrial Development Zones Viktor Mizo said this zone is one of the 11th in the country giving results.

Evidence for this are Johnson Controls and Johnson Matthey comapnies, which participated with 16.3% in the total export of Macedonia and this year their participation in export is expected to be 20%, Mizo said.

Minister of Foreign Investment Vele Samak hopes that this will help additional projects to be found for this zone not only for foreign investors but also for home companies to open capacities and to employ people.