Over 300 construction companies are presented at the 9th International Fair of Construction Buildings Materials and Construction Mechanization, which was opened Tuesday at the Skopje Fair. For second year in a row, this manifestation will be supplemented with an international real estate exhibition, RealEX.

"Construction - the driving force of the economy by opening jobs for more than 26 branches that has been marking a growth of 11.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter in 2010 - has been government's priority in the past years," Vice PM for Economic Affairs, Vladimir Pesevski said opening the manifestation.

According to him, a series of measures have been taken to improve the field of construction through reforms, intervention in legislation and by reducing costs of work and prices of construction land. "These measures contributed Macedonia to be ranked as the most improved economy in the WB's Doing Business report," he stated.

Some of the participants at the fair, real estate investors, said they expected their businesses to be successful while announcing that apartments would be offered at lower prices.

Officials of real estate agencies that are participating at the fair said that an interest in investing in real estate was marked in the past quarter.

The fair, which lasts until March 10, will provide presentation of over 300 companies in the country and abroad. Participants will exhibit in three fair halls at an area of 9.000 sqm.

Besides Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and Albanian real estate agencies are to take part at the RealEX fair.

Conferences on development and investments, architecture and urban planning are planned to be held during the fair. A day prior to closing of the fair, a workshop and round table titled "European Initiative for Sustainable Development" will be held.