Makedonien|Mazedonien News

The European Union for the month of December recorded a decline in the overall GDP of the Eurozone by -0.7%, surpassing the predicted -0.3%. Macedonia painted somewhat diferent picture, registering a 9.5% GDP growth, highest in Europe. According to Europe's Statistical Office, numerous European economies registered negative GDP and industrial output. Estonia posted -5.7% decline, Slovenia -2.7%, Yunanistan -2.6%, Holland -2.6%, Portual -0.7%. The biggest challenge for the Eurozone was negative industrial outputs in the Energy sector -2.7%.  For 2013, the biggest GDP growth was recorded by Romania with 7% and the Czech Republic with 6.7%, while the biggest decline in GDP was recorded by Malta with -7.3% and Ireland with -6.

 Exchange of experiences and knowledge, encouraging and strengthening the educational, practical, scientific and technical cooperation in the field of information science and computer engineering, is provided by the Memorandum of Cooperation between the University of Information Science and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle” in Ohrid and the company “Wedell IT”. The purpose of the memorandum is to formalize cooperation between the University and “Wedell IT” and to create conditions for joint work in professional and scientific projects, implementation of the internship program for students, presentation of practical experiences, and promotion of educational activities, and the application of field of information sciences and technologies by the signatories. - Collaboration between the University “St. Paul the Apostle” and “Wedell IT” primarily is focused towards creating conditions for sharing common goals in the area of information sciences and technologies and opens u...

Illegal immigrants spoted in the village of Lojane, close to Skopje. Photo: Utrinski Vesnik Illegal migration is increasing each year and represents a serious concern for the country, while the number of illegal immigrants entering through Bulgaria is multiplying, warns the Ministry of Interior. According to the Ministry’s 2013 Integrated Border Management Report, more than 1,200 migrants were detected in the country, which is a 66% increase compared to 2012, daily Dnevnik reports. "Despite implementing a huge number of coordinated operations for eradication of this problem, we still need joint approach, regional response and feedback especially from the countries of origin of the illegal immigrants. Additional difficulty is that the cooperation with Greece, the entering point to Macedonia for a great number of illegal immigrants, is not at the desired level, therefore, our services have to invest further efforts to reach the set goals and results," says the Ministry...

The past year only three to four building permits were issued in Skopje Centre, while construction sites will be opened on 29 locations in Bitola, 10 in Stip, 8 in Kumanovo, and every fifth facility in Skopje will be built in Ilinden, Vecer writes. The building expansion moves from the center of Skopje to the other cities. According to the number of building permits in December last year, this year the center of the capital will be more peaceful and there will be construction boom in Bitola, Gostivar, Stip, Struga, Ilinden in Skopje. According to the latest report of the State Statistical Office in December last year only three building permits were issued in Centar. - The locations in center are thinned out, but there are still some. The problem is that building lots are burdened with unresolved property issues, or have many owners who can not agree. A third problem is that the price is still high though housing prices fall. Owners still demanding to be compensated ...

Funds from oil derivatives excises, money from road tax, other fees paid to national and regional roads, as well as the inflow of loans taken by the EIB will fill the PE for state roads’ budget, which will fund numerous projects in road infrastructure, writes Vecher. PE for state roads with this year’s program for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance and protection of the state road plans to achieve revenue of around five billion dinars (80.7 million euro), and most of that money will be obtained from the section charge for every liter of petrol sold derivative. For this item in the budget is planned to be poured 2.1 billion MKD (34.1 million euro). Then 1.69 billion MKD (27.5 million euro) are expected to be collected from fees for use of the public road (pay tolls). From the road fee payable for registration of vehicles is expected inflow of 1.35 billion MKD (22 million euro), but this money in full will not be used only for PE state roads. N...

One of the most important traffic arteries in Skopje will be completely reconstructed and widened in just six months. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Mayor of the City of Skopje and Koce Trajanovski, Mayor of Karposh Stevco Jakimovski today marked the start of the reconstruction of the last phase of Boulevard “Metropolitan Theodosius Gologanov”. Gruevski said that Skopje becomes European city by the number of projects supported by the Government. - In recent years Skopje experienced the greatest transformation and is one of the fastest growing cities in the region and meets the citizens’ needs. Projects of this kind are changing the image of Skopje, the Prime Minister said. The City father stressed that MKD 81 million are allocated from the budget for this project in Skopje. - By the widening, this narrow street will get four lanes. The road will get the final layer of asphalt, on the total area of ​​19,500 square meters, Trajanovski said. He pointed out that...

Unlike most countries in the European Union, industrial production in Macedonia in December rose by 9.5 %, which is significantly higher than the most developed economies. Industrial production in the euro zone in December last year fell on a monthly basis by 0.7 %, which is above the expected 0.3 %, the European Statistical Office announced. There was growth in industrial production of 2.7 % in the same period in Slovenia, Greece – 2.6 % and Portugal – 0.7 %. Unlike most countries in the European Union, industrial production in Macedonia in December rose by 9.5 %, which is significantly higher growth compared to developed economies. The largest drop in industrial production within the euro zone was recorded in Estonia – 5.7 % and 2.6 % in the Netherlands. In December, the biggest monthly decline was observed in capital goods and 2.1 % for energy and in the same segment of 1.9 % was registered in the EU -28. However the manufacture of intermediate products grew m...

Makedonski Telekom hat alle Festnetz-Kunden ins IP-Netz migriert Weitere Länder sollen Schritt für Schritt bis Ende 2018 folgen Telekom Gebäude Skopje - Makedonien Inmitten vieler größerer Länder in Europa kann Mazedonien für sich in Anspruch nehmen, sein Festnetz als erstes Land vollständig auf All-IP umgeschaltet zu haben. Die Deutsche Telekom hat heute bekanntgegeben, dass Makedonski Telekom als erstes Unternehmen im Konzern komplett über ein Netz auf Basis des Internet Protokolls (All-IP) verfügt. Seit Oktober 2011 sind alle 290.000 Leitungen innerhalb von 25 Monaten auf die neue Plattform migriert worden. Dadurch können jetzt auch Dienste wie “Broadband on Demand” angeboten werden. “Unsere Vision ist ein gesamteuropäisches Netz auf Basis von All-IP, das Mobilfunk- und Festnetztechnologie zusammenfasst und ein neues Cloud-basiertes Produktionsmodell ermöglicht”, sagt Claudia Nemat, Telekom-Vorstand Europa und Technik. “Ziel ist es, unsere Kunden europaweit bis Ende 2...

Industrial production in the past year has increased by 3.2 percent, and in December 2013 compared to December 2012 is increased by 9.5 percent. Experts are satisfied with the statistics which means a good signal about the direction of Macedonian economy in the coming period. Professor Tome Nenovski says this is a big step that moves away Macedonia from the economic crisis and encourages optimism that the growth will be noticed this year. - Increased industrial growth is relatively successful finish of the year on economic plan for the Republic of Macedonia. It confirms that the observed continuous increase in the economy over the previous year is at the same time signal that Macedonia slowly leaves the crisis zone. It is important to note that the industrial production growth is due largely to the growth of manufacturing industry, a sector which will probably help us to achieve significant economic results in the upcoming period. The fact is I would say a big surprise...

Canadian company is interested in investment in Ohrid. For the next week is scheduled meeting and will be discussed the building capacity in which, in the first three years would be employed 200 people, announced the mayor of Ohrid, Nikola Bakracheski. Yesterday Ohrid was visited by the Minister of Education Spiro Ristovski, who said that over the next few days will begin the first phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation of buildings within the Ohrid barracks that will be designed for the needs of the University “Sv. Pavle.” For about a year, is expected the University to move its operation within the current barracks. University campus, according to Ohrid mayor opens wide horizons for foreign investments, especially those companies that require trained personnel in information technology, computer engineering, and programming.

There are 170,885 farms in Macedonia, the latest survey by the State Statistical Office conducted from 1 to 20 June 2013 shows. On average, one -farm uses 1.85 acres of agricultural land and has 2.14 livestock units. The total used agricultural land is 315,863 hectares, and 58.2 percent of the total number of farms use up to one hectare of agricultural land. Farms have a total of 365 868 livestock units, while 56.5 percent raise cattle, poultry and beehives. According to statistics there are 0.5 tractors per farm on average in the country, most of which are double shaft.

The turnover in the industry in December last year compared with the same period in 2012 is increased by 6.6 %, inform from the State Statistical Office. The revenue generated in the industry in the domestic market in December 2013 compared to December 2012 is decreased by 14 % and the turnover of foreign markets is increased by 19.6 %. Analyzed by sector, industry turnover in mining and quarrying in December 2013 compared to December 2012 is increased by 23.8 percent, while the processing industry is increased by 5.7 %. According to the Main Industrial Groupings turnover in December 2013 compared to December 2012, was higher for the intermediate goods, except energy, by 18.5 %, capital goods by 57 % and durable consumer goods by 3.6 %, while decrease in energy 96.5 and durable consumer goods by 15.4 % . Index of turnover in industry in December 2013 compared to November 2013 is increased and is 95.9 %, while in January- December 2013 compared to January- December 2012...

The Government has passed a decision over the establishment of public health institution University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, said Health Minister Nikola Todorov at Friday's press conference. The Clinic will be located in the reconstructed premises of the University Clinic for Cardiology. "Denar 43 million (EUR 700,000) have been allocated for this purpose. We expect the facilities to be ready within three months", said Minister Todorov. A tender for procurement of the required cardiac surgery medical equipment has also been announced. "The estimated value of the equipment is Denar 106 million (EUR 1,72 million). A team of cardiac surgeons, anaesthesiologists and accompanying staff will carry out diagnostics, surgeries, pre- and post-operative care", added Minister Todorov.  

Macedonia dramatically increased its chances of qualifying for the Handball World Cup in Qatar 2015 after drawing the southern neighbor of Greece . Macedonian players did not hide their satisfaction of the drawing, as the neighbors were the weakest opponent from Pot 2. " We'd take on the Greeks any day, much better than drawing Sweden or Poland " says Macedonia's coaching staff. Although favorites on paper, Macedonia will still have to prove their worth on the court. First game will be played in Greece on June 7/8th, while the rematch is scheduled for June 14/15 in Macedonia. Other draws: Russia v Lithuania BiH v Iceland Montenegro v Belarus Hungary v Slovenia Romania v Sweden Poland v Germany Serbia v Czech Austria v Norway

Four Macedonian ambassadors today before the Committee on Foreign Affairs presented their report on completed ambassadorial function and also introduced new platforms for diplomatic duties that are deployed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kire Ilioski reported on duty as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Finland and presented his platform as the newly appointed Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Mission of the international organizations in Vienna. Pajo Avirovikj reported the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and the platform for newly appointed Ambassador position in Israel. Ilija Isajlovski presented the report for duty Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the platform for the People’s  Republic of China, while the Ambassador Zoran Dabikj reported for the position Permanent Representative of the Republic of Macedonia in international organizations in Vienna and platform for new function Ambassador and Head of the Permanen...

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki and Ambassador of the Russian Federation Oleg Shcherbak today in Skopje will host formal reception marking the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Representatives of the Government and other institutions will attend the Anniversary, while the Minister Poposki and Ambassador Shcherbak will addressed the attendees. Russia recognized the independence of the Republic of Macedonia on August 41992, year after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the declaration of independence. Diplomatic relations, however, under the constitutional name of Macedonia were established on January 31 1994. On 6 October 1994, the Russian representative in Skopje became the Embassy of the Russian Federation. That same year, the Macedonian liaison office in Moscow began to function as the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia. Relations between the two countries are characterized by friend...

Ministry of Interior Affairs for the first time through public announcement will hire 12 pilots for the elite helicopter unit of the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Minister Jankulovska noted that the first time realize this kind of competition for overcoming problems with staff. - The selected candidates will get 19 monthly cutting edge training, not only of fundamental but also specific techniques, and the selection will be strict, transparent and principled, said Jankuloska. Six employees will be hired with secondary and six with high education. Interested citizens from tomorrow on and in the next 28 days can apply for the announcement, through electronic means, at the Departments of Interior Afafirs and police stations in Skopje Gazi Baba, Bit Pazar and Karposh. MIA has 7 helicopters and so far there is no woman pilot in the helicopter unit.

Eight companies from the textile industry from Macedonia will present their products and services today in Copenhagen to companies from Northern Europe. During the meeting, European importers will have the opportunity to meet and establish business partnerships with Macedonian textile companies: “Albatross”, “Eurosolid”, “Viemi”, “Aleks”, “Veramond”, “Alzama”, “Linea” and “ASM”. Their representatives will visit the International Fashion Fair in Copenhagen tomorrow. The fair, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, is placed on an area of ​​40,000 square meters. The meetings are organized by the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion of the Republic of Macedonia (InvestMacedonia) together with USAID to promote investment and exports (IDEAS), the Swiss Import Promotion Program (SIPPO) and the Textile Trade Association of Macedonia. - The purpose of the business meetings is the presentation of Macedonian companies to the European market, establishing di...

Each year new shopping centers are opened in the country, mostly by foreign investors. Several new grandiose shopping malls are under construction, and there are announcements for new ones, especially in suburban municipalities in the newly opened locations in economic zones. The newspaper Vecer wrote that many skeptics wonder whether the opening of new shopping centers can be justified, when the purchasing power of the Macedonian population is not large. If we look the attendance according to the shopping centers, we can say that these objects are attractive places because during the weekends, or while having a promotion, major shopping malls have 20,000 registered visitors in a day, a figure that itself explains the trend of opening of shopping centers in Skopje. - But, according to experts, the opening of large shopping centers means direct foreign investment in the country that generates new jobs, salaries and benefits of employees and the standard of the population gr...

Veles has multiple locations and facilities that can be used to be offer the foreign investors. Discussions are under way with new foreign companies interested to invest in this region. Minister for Foreign Investments Vele Samak stated this at the meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality Slavcho Chadiev, which was aimed at examining the opportunities to put in use some of the existing facilities. - We are working to attract companies from the automotive and manufacturing sectors. We have several projects that we work on. Municipality of Veles has multiple locations and unused capacity that can be used depending on the preferences of interested investors, stressed Minister Samak. Chadiev indicated that as so far, they will continue to realize the excellent cooperation with the government in order to attract foreign investors in the field of light industry which will not have consequences over the environment. - We re- mapped certain areas and opportunities with the M...

The gasification project at the Skopje region will cover 17 municipalities. The investment worth about € 100 million will be implemented for five years following the principle of public- private partnership, and part of the distribution network will be put in operation in 2016. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski announced that construction of the distribution system will begin in 2015 and at least 70 percent of the planned infrastructure should be done in five years, until 2019. - Today begins the actual operationalization of gasification project in Macedonia. We have worked intensely and devotedly in the past few years on the completion of all steps, actions and procedures to get to this point. It was not an easy and simple job, although some structures are trying to show that, Gruevski said. The project, he added, will be performed by all standards, not partially, but integrally, without improvising, but with solid plans and programs. - It took a lot of preparati...

Agency for Electronic Communications will move to the administration building of the Chamber of Commerce, the Baroque building of the quay of Vardar, between the Archaeological Museum and rotunda where will be accommodated the financial police . This decision was adopted yesterday at the Committee on Transport and Communications, and the reason is the end of the interior design of the facility. AEC representative explained to lawmakers that the administration is in the process of moving; the part of officers and equipment is already in offices at the new building, while the rest will be moved in phases. Construction of the new building of the AEC costed more than 10 million euro provided by the Agency. The facade shape, however, is part of the series baroque solutions applied to objects in the immediate vicinity.

Businessmen from Iraq this week will visit Macedonia to become familiar with its economic potentials. They are particularly interested in food and industrial products, and construction sectors, tourism, health, education, and sport. As informed by the Economic Chamber of Macedonia in the country comes delegation of the Union of Iraqi businessmen whose goal is to organize more business missions this year. The headquarters of the Union, which has 17 regional offices in Baghdad. - It is a business association of entrepreneurs with high personal integrity, financial and administrative independence. Collaborating with governments, Arab and international organizations, encourages the establishment of joint ventures in Iraq in order to reconstruct the economy, says Ljubica Nuri from the Chamber. The idea of the realized contacts, she adds is restructuring of economic relations that existed twenty years ago. - Iraqi are companies interested in importing and distribut...