The Macedonian-British economic cooperation will keep generating common benefits, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Tuesday, presenting the opportunities for investing in Macedonia at a bilateral forum in London.

Speaking before more than 80 businessmen, Gruevski invited them to visit Macedonia and include it in their surveys and business expansion plans, as well as to get assured that the country offers great opportunities.

Come to visit the existing plants, talk with companies already present in Macedonia and hear their experience, Gruevski said.

British Johnson Matthey, US Johnson Controls and Kemet Electronics, German Kromberg & Schubert and Drexelmaier, Swiss Vindtek International and Belgian Van Hool are already present in Macedonia and they consider the country as a rather attractive business destination and a door to European markets. This is probably the best indicator for the favourable business climate and excellent conditions the country has been offering to foreign investors, he added.

Macedonia, he said, has attracted the attention of global investors by its speedy climbing on the list of best reformers.

"The World Bank 'Doing Business' report rated Macedonia 25th out of 185 countries, the highest position in comparison with the transition economies of Central and East Europe, as well as close to 20 EU members. We are very proud that now Macedonia is taking the 73rd place on the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014, 45 places higher in terms of advancing the business climate. Forbes rated Macedonia 37th on its 'Best Countries for Business' report, also 45 places higher than in 2007," Gruevski said.

He briefed potential British investors about Macedonia’s macroeconomic stability, average inflation rate of 2.1%, and low budget deficit – 3% of the GDP, which makes the country the fourth lowest indebted in Europe.

"We have introduced a 10% flat corporate and personal income tax, as well as zero tax for re-invested profit," Gruevski said.

He also mentioned the opening of 15 free economic zones, saying that many companies across the globe (China, India, Russia, Qatar) express interest to invest in Macedonia.

Neil Collins from Johnson Matthey said his company decided to invest in Macedonia as many of its partners were located in SEE, namely Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia.

"The existence of a free economic zone was also rather important for us and our future expansion. It also refers to proximity of the airport, solid choice of skilled workforce, road connection to Europe and possibility to reach our main storehouse in Germany," Collins said.

Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, Minister without Portfolio Vele Samak and Directorate for Technological and Industrial Development Zones CEO Viktor Mizo also had their presentations of Macedonia's investment opportunities at a business forum in London.

This afternoon Macedonian delegation is heading to Paris to present the country's investment opportunities to French businessmen.