Skopje, 13 October 2022 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi met Thursday with representatives of international retail chain “Lidl”, focusing on activities related to the company’s investments and development in North Macedonia, and the Government’s support in the project’s realization. PM Kovachevski expressed satisfaction that Lidl is intensively working on the launch of effective operations in the country, 80 people have already been employed, with the number set to rise in the coming period, the Government said in a press release. Deputy PM Bytyqi voiced his pleasure from the progress of the investment, highlighting its importance for the development of local suppliers. Tomasz Kuzma, Lidl International board member responsible for the Western Balkans, said the company highly values the cooperation and support by the Government, whereas Lidl North Macedonia CEO Rubrijan Hadziev said working groups have been set up in several ministries, along with the designation of a contact point, in order to facilitate the preparations for a possible entry on the Macedonian market. They expressed assurance that the cooperation would continue in the subsequent stages of the project. Lidl has already identified a potential location for its logistical center in Kumanovo municipality, an investment worth about EUR 80 million and opening more than 150 jobs. The company is already exploring various ways to support local producers, including the export of Macedonian agriculture products throughout the Lidl network in neighboring countries, reads the press release.