As of Thursday, 400 unemployed people registered in the Employment Service Agency can apply at the state ad for a EUR 3,000 grant for opening of small businesses.

"I urge all unemployed individuals who have a business idea to use this chance and apply. This is an excellent opportunity for support and self-employment, development of their own business that will contribute to the development of Macedonia's economy and the opening of new jobs", said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Dime Spasov at Wednesday's press conference.

He said that besides the grant in the form of equipment and production materials, applicants will get series of other benefits helping them become successful entrepreneurs, such as entrepreneurship training, expert assistance for development of their business idea into a sustainable business plan, as well as advisory support for business registration.

"The 50 best-ranked businesses will also get the opportunity to receive an additional EUR 1,500 grant for one additional employment in a newly-registered firm", said Spasov.

Over the past seven years, the Government has invested EUR 18,5 million in this programme, resulting in 5,835 citizens launching their own business, with a sustainability rate of 75 percent.

Minister Spasov informed that over 21,000 unemployed people have applied for the programme thus far, while over 7,000 have completed the entrepreneurship and business planning training.

Employment Service Agency director Vlatko Popovski also announced an ad for additional employment in existing micro and small enterprises in the amount of EUR 1,500 for equipment and production materials.

"I urge all micro and small companies to apply at the programme, since we can finance up to five jobs, meaning EUR 7,500", added Popovski.

Employers are obliged to keep the new recruits on the job for a year.