Increasing of domestic and direct foreign investments is a priority of Macedonia's Government, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Sunday at the cornerstone-laying ceremony for construction of a technological-industrial development zone in Gevgelija.

This project creates conditions for entrance of larger investments in Gevgelija region and hence opening of many new jobs, Gruevski said.

"For the last few years we have introduced a series of measures for improving the business climate and competitiveness of the Macedonian economy. In addition to our suggestions, we have incorporated the best practices of many successful countries, as well as the recommendations of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and many others," the PM said.

As a result, he said, many international companies have already started to invest and operate in Macedonia by new greenfield or investments of existing companies, he said.

"Intensive occupancy of the free economic zones throughout Macedonia tells us that this model for attracting direct foreign investments is excellent. A great number of foreign companies, mainly representatives of the automotive industry, taking advantage of the favorable conditions these zones have been offering, decided to construct brand new plants on the green fields as the zones were referred to till recently," Gruevski said.

Hence, he added, the Government has decided to construct eight new free industrial zones in addition to the existing ones in Skopje and Stip.

"Construction works on the zones in Kicevo and Prilep are underway. Today we are commencing the work on this one in Gevgelija and in the next period the construction of industrial zones in Tetovo, Struga, Radovis, Strumica and Rankovce will kick off. These zones will set ground for arrival of new investors, who will build new factories and open new jobs throughout the entire country," the PM said.

Viktor Mizo, Director of the Technological Industrial Development Zones, also addressed the ceremony.