Sustainable economic growth and further reduction of unemployment – these are the two main priorities for Macedonia. Structural reforms and policies for attracting foreign direct investments are paying off. Jobs are opened, unemployment rate has downward adjustments and now is historically low. It was noted by the IMF. According to the monetarists, the Macedonian economy is growing faster than other economies in the region, unemployment decreases, it was reacted on wise way during the crisis, analyze Lider.mk.
“Macedonia’s economy grew faster than other economies in the region. However, there remain significant challenges for growth that will be driven by the private sector, as well as the maintenance of macroeconomic stability.
Macedonia has history of good macroeconomic policies, use the fiscal space to stimulate growth during the crisis,”- said the head of the Fund for Macedonia Ivana Vladkova Holar.
International Monetary Fund in its latest report wrote that still there is a lot of work, but that a lot is done.
- It was emphasized for Macedonia that there are higher rates of growth compared to other countries in the region, decrease in unemployment, especially among young people, of course under these circumstances. It shows that policies for improving the competitiveness of the economy, strengthening the business climate, improving conditions for doing business and investment in education and infrastructure are the correct way to deal with the challenges of today, said Stavreski.
Foreign investors create jobs
Foreign investors open new jobs. Data show that since 2006, in the country entered 2.4 billion FDI, opened more than 11 thousand jobs. Active are companies both in and out of the zones. In Bunardgik work Johnson Controls, Johnson Matthey, Teknohoze, Prodis, Kemet Electronics, Van Hull, it is built the capacity of Dijatek. Johnson Controls works in Shtip, Drekselmajer in Kavadarci, Kromberg and Schubert in Bitola, in Kumanovo Stilkon, Amfenol in Kochani, Hryshko in Demir Hisar, Markdard finished with building capacity in Veles, KSS is Kichevo, ODV Electric in Ohrid, VEIBO in Rankovce. Investments are dispersed throughout the country. This, according to economists, is encouraging local economic development.
“The dispersion of foreign investment in the territory of Macedonia will allow acceleration of economic activity, because every investment can create jobs, engaged are people who get salary, they then spend their wages, which multiplies the effect of the investment. Investment drives growth and development “- explains University professor Jovan Pejkovski.
Another company, Kostal in Ohrid opened 1,000 jobs. Amfenol already decided to locate in the country six divisions, large part of the production, which will bring jobs for 2,500 people. The company is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year with plus 500 employees. Capcon in Bunardzik invest 18 million dollars and opened 400 jobs and Genter is positioned in Prilep. The new plant is scheduled to be completed in October.
Youth in focus of active measures!
The reduction of unemployment among the young is top priority for the country. It shows the data from the State Statistical Office. The unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 24 years is 52%. Therefore, the new operating plan for 2015 and active employment measures are directed precisely towards this category of citizens. 60 million will be made available to young people up to 29 years to start their own business. Parallel will be stimulated domestic companies to hire young people.
“The plan is to reach 8760 young people, and to reach total of 6,200 young people until age of 29 years. Out of these, 5,000 through the measure for the release of tax payments for 12 months for private companies, and 1,200 through other measures, “- said the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Dime Spasov.
There are unemployed, no professional staff
Additional problems and limiting factor for further reducing unemployment is the gap between supply and demand of labor. Business sector repeatedly reiterated that there is lack of skilled workers, and this was confirmed by the data from the Agency for Employment. At time when among the unemployed are 26 PhDs, 984 masters, almost 16,000 with university degree, most required occupations at the market are salespeople, waiters, tailors, cooks, workmanlike, locksmith … This shows that we have systemic problem and it will require longer period to solve it.
