Skopje, 8 October 2023 (MIA) - About 2,000 jobs have been created in the technological-industrial development zones in a year, according to Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones data. 

The number of jobs in the zones climbed to 17,558 in September, which is 13 percent more compared to the same period last year, 25 percent more compared to September 2021 and 31 percent more compared to 2020.

"The regular monthly analysis shows that the number of jobs continues to rise, and 200 new jobs have been created in just a month," the Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones says. 

September's data also register growth of exports and imports. In the first nine months of the year, companies in the zones achieved exports of EUR 2.8 billion, which is 8 percent more compared to the same period last year. In September alone, exports reached EUR 329 million, and compared to the beginning of the year, exports increased by 19 percent.

Imports since the beginning of the year have so far reached over EUR 2.3 billion. In July 2023 alone, companies in the free economic zones made imports of EUR 275 million, which is 20 percent lower compared to September last year, but 45 percent and 55 percent higher compared to September 2021 and 2020.

These developments have led to a positive trend of net exports, which stands at 22 percent by September, reads the report. 

The Directorate expects the growth trend to continue, considering that agreements worth over EUR 350 million have been concluded since the onset of 2023, set to open 6,000 new jobs.

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