NOR

SWE

EST
LAT

3BEST
rd

650 million customers

duty-free market
FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
MARKET SIZE BY CUSTOMER BASE

LTU

EU - 500 million
CEFTA - 30 million

BLR

IRL

EFTA - 12.5 million

Turkey - 74 million
Ukraine - 46 million

REFORMER

IN THE WORLD

GBR

NED

POL
GER

BEL

World Banks
Doing Business
2012 Report
FRA

SVK

4 hour

ITA
2500
km

company registration

2000
km

1500
km

PRT

1/4

of social
contributions
CUT by 2012

1000
km

ESP

One

SRB
MNE KOS

500
km

BGR

FAST COMPANY
REGISTRATION

Macedonia

ALB

One-stop-shop system for

company registration within 4 hours

TUR

EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE

GRC

Wireless national backbone

infrastructure, digital
telecommunications system,
extensive highway network, two
international airports with regular
connections to main European
transportation centers

Stop-Shop for
cross border trading

Electronic

payment of

Taxes

The Regulatory

Guillotine
project

- cutting red tape

Liberalized
visa-regime

RESPONSIVE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM

Investment Opportunities
AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS
The country is particularly suitable for the
manufacture of high value-to-weight labor-intensive
products such as safety systems (seat belts,
airbags), electronics (controllers, sensors), precision
plastic products, aluminum and zinc die-casting
and grey iron casting components.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY
Many international companies are successfully
developing software in Macedonia for the export
market and others are providing 24/7 telephone
customer support for major multinational IT
companies.

AGRIBUSINESS AND FOOD

PROCESSING
The sectors numerous competitive advantages
include a unique combination of a continental and
sub-Mediterranean climate, environmentally friendly
production practices, sound food processing
technologies, highly qualified labor, excellent access

to regional markets, and a reputation for quality

food products.

HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS
(PHARMACEUTICALS AND MEDICAL DEVICES)
With a well-established pharmaceutical industry,
Macedonia supplies primarily finished generic
products to over 30 countries in the region and
beyond. The salary levels of qualified medical staff
are substantially lower than those of comparable
staff in the EU. Medical tourism is constantly on the
rise.

CHEMICALS
Macedonia has a substantial chemical industry with
a well developed capacity for the production of
basic chemicals, synthetic fibers, polyvinyl chloride,
as well as detergents, fertilizers, polyurethane foams
and fibers.
In addition to opportunities for greenfield FDI,
existing capacities in chemical processing, including
cosmetic products, have good growth potential for
foreign investors.

LOW OPERATIONAL COSTS

Goods delivered within a day to

Central and Eastern Europe and
Turkey, and maximum two days to
Western Europe

Modernized

electronic
Real Estate Cadastre

Duty-free access to a market of

over 650 million customers through
three multilateral (SAA, EFTA and
CEFTA) and two bilateral (Turkey
and Ukraine) Free Trade
Agreements

EXCELLENT GEO-STRATEGIC
POSITION

HRV
BIH

FREE MARKET ACCESS

One of the most cost-competitive

locations in Europe

ROU
SVN

3000
km

RUS

MDA

HUN

SUI

TO INVEST IN
MACEDONIA

Flat corporate and personal income

tax rates at 10%; 0% tax on
retained earnings

CZE

AUT

REASONS

LOW TAXES

UKR

LUX

A DOZEN

Universities willing to collaborate

with incoming investors in meeting
the required skills

CLOTHING, TEXTILES, AND LEATHER

TOURISM

The competitive export advantages of this sector

include short delivery periods, flexibility of delivery
size together with exceptional value for money. In
addition to garments, there is manufacturing
potential for cotton thread and fabric, wool yarn,
and knitted fabric.

Macedonias cultural heritage, combined with a

temperate climate, beautiful landscape and
unmatched hospitality, makes Macedonia an
attractive area for the development of both summer
and winter tourism. With over 1,000 churches and
monasteries, as well as more than 4,200
archaeological sites, Macedonia is amongst the
most attractive destinations for cultural tourism in
Europe.

ENERGY
Energy sector development is a high priority in
Macedonia, with hundreds of dams designated to
be turned into hydroelectric-generating operations.
Numerous investment opportunities exist and the
Government encourages investment in both
traditional and renewable energy projects.

REAL ESTATE
The greatest potential in the real estate sector is
expected in the area of commercial real estate,
residential buildings, multi-level parking facilities,
and construction of hotels. Foreign individuals and
companies can now directly acquire/lease property
in Macedonia.

INFRASTRUCTURE
The Government has invested in a significant
number of infrastructural projects and has
developed a national strategy for development and
improvement of the infrastructure in the country
until 2016. The two international airports in
Macedonia have recently been given under
concession, and the foreign developer is obliged to
build a new cargo airport as well.
Investment potential exists in the construction and
reconstruction of the major pan-European corridors
8 and 10, in both roads and railways.

EXCELLENT FOREIGN
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English widely spoken, French and
German embedded in the
education system, regional
languages in wide use

AVAILABLE SKILLED
WORKFORCE
A young (42% under the age of 30)
and educated workforce with a
strong work ethic and excellent
industrial relations record

HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE

Highly attractive living and working
conditions

POLITICAL, MONETARY AND

MACROECONOMIC STABILITY
EU AND NATO CANDIDATE
COUNTRY

The Republic of Macedonia was

granted candidate-country status for
EU membership, and full NATO
membership is expected in the near
future.
*Based on the World Banks Doing Business
Reports in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012

GDP GROWTH RATE

5.1%

Austria ~ 100 km
Italy ~ 1200 km
Germany ~ 1500 km
France ~ 1700 km

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
GROWTH RATE
13.8%
MONTHLY AVERAGE
GROSS SALARY

Bulgarian coast
line ~ 700 km
Turkey ~ 650 km

Kumanovo

Corridor

2 1
Tetovo

491

EXPORT

$1 billion

FDI

$285 mil.

Skopje

Co

rrid

AREA

10

www.investinmacedonia.com

25,713 sq.km

Gevgelija

Ohrid
Albanian
coast line
~ 150 km

Greek coast line ~ 100km

Bitola

CAPITAL

Greek coast line ~ 100 km

Skopje
POPULATION
2.1 million

TIDZ Skopje 1 (140 Ha)

TIDZ Stip (208 Ha)

Adjacent to Alexander the Great

Airport, Skopje

Skopje (80km)

Multi-party parliamentary system

Trans-European Network
transport (Corridor 10)

Trans-European Network
transport (Corridor 10 - 40km,
Local station - 1 km)

CURRENCY

Thessalonika, Greece (220km)

Thessalonika, Greece (220km)

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Macedonian Denar (MKD) pegged to Euro

(); Stable against DM/ over 10 years
(1=MKD 61.5)

Already here:

TIDZ Skopje 2 (95 Ha)

Adjacent to Alexander the Great
Airport, Skopje

T: +389 2 3100 111

F: +389 2 3122 098
fdi@investinmacedonia.com

The TIDZ incentives package provides the

most competitive operating environment in
South East Europe.

10

Kavadarci

or

The TIDZs host export-oriented production,

Information Technology, and scientific
research activities, as well as production
based on new technologies with high
environmental standards.
Companies operating out of the TIDZs
enjoy special incentives in terms of strategic
location and developed infrastructure, as
well as significant tax holidays.

Stip

Veles

BASIC FACTS ABOUT

MACEDONIA

Agency for Foreign Investments

and Export Promotion of the
Republic of Macedonia

The Zones Skopje, Skopje 2, Stip, and

Tetovo are established to provide special
incentives for eligible investors.

Corridor 10

4.1%

or

The top priorities of the Government

include economic growth and
development, active participation in the
regional and global integration
processes, maintenance of economic
stability, and attraction of foreign direct
investment. To this end, the
government has strengthened its
activities towards attracting and
handling FDI by assigning Economic
Promoters throughout over 20
countries worldwide. Promoters have
the challenging task of promoting
Macedonia as an investment location,
personally meeting potential investors,
and ultimately convincing investors to
visit Macedonia, gaining firsthand
insight of the opportunities that exist in
the country.

ANNUAL INFLATION RATE

Technological Industrial Development Zones

(TIDZs Free Economic Zones)

Co
rri
d

The Republic of Macedonia is rapidly

advancing on the path of political and
economic reforms towards
strengthening the democratic society
and the free market economy. The
result is political and macroeconomic
stability, providing much room for
growth. The countrys continuous
progress has been confirmed by the
World Banks Doing Business report,
which has ranked Macedonia the best
consecutive reformer in South East
Europe for the past three years*.

ECONOMIC
INDICATORS IN 2011 (Q1)

Corridor 8

Macedonia
at a Glance

TIDZ Tetovo (97 Ha)

Skopje (50km)

Trans-European Network
transport (Corridor 10)

Trans-European Network
transport (Corridor 10 - 30km,
Local station - 5 km)

Thessalonika, Greece (220km)

Thessalonika, Greece (280km)

Investment
Incentives
in the TIDZs
CORPORATE TAX

FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS

(10% THEREAFTER)

EXCISE AND
PROPERTY TAX

PERSONAL
INCOME TAX

FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS

(10% THEREAFTER)

VAT AND
CUSTOMS DUTIES
FOR EXPORT PRODUCTION

GREEN

CUSTOMS
CHANNEL

EXPEDITING EXPORT TO THE EU

TO
ADVANTAGEOUS ACCESS
PAN-EUROPEAN

LOCATION

CORRIDORS 8 AND 10,

RAILROAD AND
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

S a mv a rd h a n a M o t h e r s o n

FREE
*

CONNECTION
TO
UTILITIES

(PIPED NATURAL GAS, WATER AND SEWAGE)

SUBSIDY OF UP TO TOWARDS

500,000
LAND 99
FOR UP TO

INDO MINERALS AND METALS dooel

LEASE

BUILDING
COSTS

AT ATTRACTIVE
CONCESSIONARY
YEARS RATES

Invest Macedonia, the official

government agency responsible for
attracting and developing foreign
investments is a full service agency
prepared to guide you throughout the
decision-making process.
As an institution dedicated to making
this process as beneficial and effortless
as possible, we are eager to lead you
through the initial inquiry phase,
arrange a suitable itinerary to visit
Macedonia, and culminate with an
objective evaluation of the potential
success of your project based on the
current business climate. Should you
find Macedonia to be an appropriate
location for your business needs, rest
assured that Invest Macedonia will
interact on your behalf with central and
local Government authorities. If your
business requires finding suitable local
partners, we will aid you through the
process and ensure that an open
exploratory dialogue can take place.
Meeting your business requirements is
our primary goal. Invest Macedonia
understands the ever changing
business needs as an operation grows,
and to that effect, we pledge to
collaborate closely with you to facilitate
that growth in Macedonia.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICES:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France,
Germany, Italy, Kosovo and Albania,
Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia,
Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom,
Canada, United States of America,
South America, PR China, India, Japan,
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and Qatar.