The construction of infrastructure of the Technological Industrial Development Zone (TIDZ) Tetovo gives an opportunity for opening many factories and new jobs for the citizens of Tetovo, Gostivar and the region, PM Nikola Gruevski said Friday at the cornerstone laying ceremony of this economic zone which is under the concession of the Norwegian company NORMAC.

Tetovo zone is part of the large Government's project for opening economic zones in all larger cities in the country. So far, ‘Skopje 1,’ ‘Skopje 2’ and ‘Stip’ industrial development zones have been opened and construction works are being conducted in Kicevo, Gevgelija, Prilep and Strumica, Gruevski said.

He added that the zone near Tetovo was established in 2010 by Government’s decision and its construction was delayed due to unsolved property and legal issues and because of realisation of type of investment according to the principle Public Private Partnership for the first time in economic zones in Macedonia. This means that company concessionaire will build interior infrastructure while the Macedonian side is in charge of exterior infrastructure, construction of road from Skopje – Tetovo highway to the zone.

The construction of adequate infrastructure will attract foreign investors especially because of its closeness to borders with Kosovo, Albania and Serbia and two universities in Tetovo which are seen as a good opportunity for highly qualified and well-educated personnel, Gruevski said.

Director of Directorate of TIDZ Viktor Mizo said that the entire investment amounted €7 million which would be realised in three phases for a period of five years and would contribute to regional economic development, opening new jobs and use of new technologies thus improving competitiveness of our economy.

Erik Welle-Watne, manager of Innovation Norway, part of NORMAC company said that the zone near Tetovo was considered as a very important location for development of business promising that their company would make all necessary efforts to attract investors.