A cornerstone laying ceremony kicked off Thursday a construction of a plant in the free economic zone of Bunardzik near Skopje, a EUR5 million-investment of the Russian company 'Prodis' - part of the pharmaceutical holding 'Protek Group'.

The project will be realized in two stages and open a total of 300 new jobs, 'Protek Group" CEO Vadim Yakunin said at the ceremony, also attended by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

'Prodis' will manufacture homeopathic and herbal medicinal products, aimed for the Russian Federation and the markets of former USSR, Yugoslav and overseas countries,' Yakunin said.

Prime Minister Gruevski expressed belief that many Russian companies would follow the suit of 'Protek Group'.

Foreign investments will keep entering Macedonia thanking to the Government's policies for sustainable economic growth and constantly advancing of the business climate, Gruevski said.

"The new investment in Bunardzik will narrow the technological gap between the Macedonian and foreign companies, while direct, indirect jobs will mitigate the unemployment problem," Vice-Premier Zoran Stavreski said.

Earlier today, Prodis director Cost Dimov and heads of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Technological and Industrial Development Zone Skopje 1 - Bunardzik - Viktor Mizo and Natasa Hadzilega respectively - signed the documents launching the Russian investment. Gruevski and Protek's top officials also attended the signing.

Protek Group is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Russia. The Group has a diversified business structure and is active in all industry sectors, including production of medications, distribution of health and beauty products, and retail sales. Established in 1990, it is the largest distributor of drugs and cosmetics in Russia.