The US Kemet Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of tantalum, ceramic, aluminum, film, paper and electrolytic capacitors, officially opened its plant in the Technological-Industrial Development Zone (TIDZ) Skopje 1. The US$20million-investment initially opens 100 new jobs, and is expected to create 400 more in a few-year period.

The new Kemet Electronics facility will start with production of standard capacitors and in the future will expand their manufacturing programme with additional products.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Vice-Premier Vladimir Pesevski, TIDZ Director Viktor Mizo, Kemet Electronics CEO Per Loof and US Ambassador to Macedonia Paul Wohlers had the honor to cut the ribbon.

“The presence of Kemet Electronics in Macedonia is a kind of an invitation to other companies the company has been cooperating with - HP, Siemens, Philips, Nokia, Ericsson, Alcatel, Motorola and Cisco, to consider the country as their future business destination,” Gruevski said at the opening ceremony.

“Kemet Electronics expressed interest to invest in Macedonia two years ago and decided to choose the country for building its new plant thanking to the smart marketing strategy of the Government and high-skilled work force,” CEO Loof said.

“The Kemet Electronics' experience shows that Macedonia may be a good place for doing business,” Ambassador Wohlers said.

"It is becoming clear that even in these hard times Macedonia is a real competitor in the global business scene," Wohlers said.

Kemet is a world leader in producing capacitors with an 85-years history. Kemet maintains its corporate headquarters and two Innovation Centers in the Upstate of South Carolina. Manufacturing facilities are located in Mexico, China, Italy, England, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Indonesia, Germany and Bulgaria.

The product line now includes the world's most complete line of surface-mount and through-hole capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, aluminum (organic and electrolytic), film, and paper dielectrics. They are found in virtually all electronic applications and products used today, including those in the computer, telecommunication, automotive, military and aerospace, medical, industrial/instrumentation (including lighting), and consumer market segments.