Macedonia will extend the Regional Economic Development Programme for two years through EUR 2 million support from the governments of Germany and Switzerland.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski, Ambassadors of Germany and Switzerland, Gudrun Steinacker and Stefano Lazzarotto respectively, Minister of Local Self-Government Tahir Hani and German International Cooperation (GIZ) director James Macbeth signed Thursday an agreement over the programme's implementation.

Increased efficiency in implementation of the legal and institutional framework for equal regional development, capacity strengthening for regional management in all eight planning region, as well as improvement of the business environment through grants for companies are the fundamental goals of activities in the coming period.

"The Government promotes development in all regions of the country. Equal regional development assists the creation of equal opportunities for economic growth, creates new jobs, improves education and better living standard", stressed Pesevski prior to the agreement's signing.

Minister Hani said equal regional development would be more efficient if European funds were used in parallel with the budget means for this purpose.

"That is why we require broad coordination at a horizontal and vertical level, among all competent institutions, municipalities, civil society and the business sector, which is one of the project's main objectives", added Hani.

The GIZ RED Programme was launched in 2008, funded by EUR 5,6 million from the German government, whereas Switzerland will provide additional EUR 1,6 million.