Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Tuesday presented Macedonia’s investment opportunities at separate meetings with major business companies held in the Indian city of Chennai. Several companies in the field of agriculture and healthcare showed interest to invest in the country and have started to analyse the conditions for running a business. According to them, Macedonia with its strategic location is offering favourable conditions for investing, solid infrastructure, economic zones and good tax policy.

PM Gruevski held talks with the CEO and Chairman of TAFE - Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Mallika Srinivasan and the company’s management.

The third-largest tractor manufacturer in the world, TAFE has an annual turnover of 2.5 billion dollars. This company has production capacities in India and Turkey and is interested in investing and opening a plant in the Balkans. Reviewing the investment opportunities in Macedonia, its representatives have started scanning the country as a possible investment destination.

Gruevski at the meeting elaborated the benefits offered by the Macedonian government for running a business and investing in Macedonia.

"A meeting was held with officials of the company, the third-largest tractor manufacturer in the world. They mull over the possibility of opening a plant for tractor production and consequently they are examining different locations. Hence, we have presented Macedonia to the company’s owner and management as an excellent destination for investing," Gruevski stated.

TAFE Chairman and CEO Mallika Srinivasan said her company had also included Macedonia in its analyses on expanding its investments. Sirivasan, according to Forbse magazine, is amongst the top 100 richest people with an estimated fortune of over US$ 2 billion.

"TAFE is present in 80 countries and seeks location for kick-starting a production of tractors in the region and Macedonia is one of the options we are considering. We've had productive talks today with the PM and Ministers. Today, Macedonia is one the most stable countries, rather progressive and investors-friendly state. All of these, including the infrastructural development, attracts businessmen to come to Macedonia. Looking ahead Macedonia may be a gateway for companies to Europe, as well as CEFTA member-countries," said Srinivasan, who is also a Chairperson of the Amalgamations Group.

Today, PM Gruevski also held talks with the management of the Apollo Hospitals in Chennai - the flagship hospital of the Apollo Group, established in 1983. Today it is one of the most respected hospitals in the world and is also amongst the most preferred destinations for patients from several parts of India, as well as for medical tourism and medical value travel. The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical procedures. It has over 60 departments spearheaded by internationally trained doctors who are skillfully supported by dedicated patient-care personnel. It is one of the few hospitals in Chennai that have state-of-the-art facilities for various health disorders.

The talks reviewed possibilities for the Apollo Group to open hospital in Macedonia, namely in the new health care zones, Gruevski said.

Anne Marie Moncure, President & CEO of Apollo Hospitals - Southern Region, said the hospital management expressed interest in a possibility for investing in Macedonia, especially in terms of health care, exchange of doctors and spa-centers.

"We are thrilled with the opportunities for investing Macedonia has presented today. The location is great, the Government is oriented to the future and we are pleased with the chance to cooperate in every possible manner," Moncure said.

PM Gruevski also held talks with managers of other companies, which express interest in possibilities for investing in Macedonia, including the Chairman of India Investment Fund and Director of the Copthall Partners Group, Chakravarthi Lokapriya.

Lokapriya commended Macedonia's Government for creating excellent infrastructure, various investments zones and introducing a sound tax policy, which he believes will certainly attract investments.

Tomorrow, the Macedonian delegation, led by PM Gruevski, is set to hold talks with several companies, as well as visit Mother Teresa's House in Kolkata.