Skopje, 16 July 2021 (MIA) – Technological-industrial development zones (TIDZ) registered in the first half of 2021 the highest level of activity in the past 20 years, TIDZ analysis shows. In the first six months of the year, export activity also increased by 70% compared to the same period in 2020, while import activity went up 90%. In the first half of 2021, agreements were signed for new investments standing at EUR 105 million, Free Zones Authority director Jovan Despotovski told a press conference on Friday. He added that export activity at industrial zones reached EUR 1,559,000,000, 67% more than in 2020 and a 33.5% increase compared to 2018. “Data demonstrates upward economic trend at zones. We’re no longer talking about recovery, but real growth, and expect that numbers will continue to increase in the upcoming period,” Despotovski said. Moreover, he briefed reporters that export activity is also on the rise. The total level of export in the first half of 2021 reached EUR 1,535,000,000, 90% increase compared to last year. “Import is high as companies are bringing in new technologies and raw materials which will later be exported. I expect upward import trends to lead in the upcoming period to greater export from zones,” the director underlined. The number of zone workers is also up and current stands at 14,230. In the past five years, the TIDZ director stressed, the number of employees has increased by 50%. In the first half of 2021, agreements were signed for new investments standing at EUR 105 million, set to open 1,850 new job positions, increased export in the next 10 years by EUR 2,100,000,000, and personal income tax contribution by EUR 7.2 million,” Despotovski noted. He reiterated projections for new foreign investments standing at EUR 1 billion. According to Despotovski, talks are underway with 30 enterprises over investments worth EUR 400 million, set to create 8,500 new jobs. The Free Zones Authority director underlined that stakeholders aim to attract as many investors as possible that will provide higher salaries for employees. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMediumskaInformativnaAgencija%2Fvideos%2F441931150250914%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>