The Fund for Innovation and Technology Development opened Wednesday a contact office in downtown Skopje, aimed to facilitate the communication with all of those who express interest in the possibilities for developing innovative ideas via the fund's programs.

Opening the office, Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev referred to the Fund's role in supporting the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

"Thus far the Fund has launched two calls, which provided financial support of EUR 1,3 million for 33 new companies. In the next few days we shall launch a new call for financial support of EUR 450,000 for 15 start-up and spin-off companies. We are intending the total sum for supporting such projects to reach EUR 2,65 million this year and EUR 10 million in 2017," Dimitriev said.

The opening ceremony also saw the presence of ruling VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski, who three years ago initiated the Fund's establishment under the World Bank's support.