A retirement home will be built on the site of an old home in the spa resort of Katlanovo, south east of the capital Skopje. Labour and Welfare Minister Dime Spasov said on Monday that the old retirement home, now damaged beyond repair, will soon be offered to private investors willing to restore it.

"The bid foresees the establishment of a modern retirement facility, with a staff between 20 and 30 people. This was an active retirement home until 30 years ago, but since then it has been ruined. The Ministry will hold the public auction for the project in mid October and give the home to the investor who offers best terms for reconstruction and resuming its old purpose", Spasov said.

On Monday, Spasov also visited the home of the Dobrevski family in the village of Susica, near Katlanovo, which burnt down in a recent fire. Spasov said that the family has received initial support of about 4.000 EUR, and will also receive monthly payments for the care of the elder woman who lived in the home. The Red Cross and the municipality of Petrovec also helped the family with money, clothes and supplies.