Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and a Government team presented Macedonia as a favorable business destination before about 150 Austrian companies attending the Macedonia-Austria Business Forum on Tuesday, MIA reports from Vienna.

"The Republic of Macedonia has become one of the most pleasant surprises and one of the most positive economic examples in Europe over the past few years. However, for those acquainted with the Macedonian economic environment, this is not a surprise", said PM Gruevski.

He told the audience that many have already recognized Macedonia as a partner in making capital, urging them to visit the country and witness the favorable business climate.

"The Government has undertaken a number of thorough and comprehensive reforms to make Macedonia a country with lowest taxes in Europe, reduced operational costs, one of the easiest procedures for start-up and doing business, a country where the government and state institutions represent a true partner and service for foreign investors", said Gruevski.

According to him, Macedonia enjoyed the highest GDP growth rates in recent history, ranging between five and six percent, prior to the economic crisis.

"While a number of European ships were rocked during the global crisis, some even drowned by the great storm, the Macedonian ship remained steady and suffered the least possible damage", emphasized Gruevski.

He said the best confirmation of the good results came from the World Bank's Doing Business list, the latest Fitch ratings, as well as the European Commission Progress Report, where Macedonia's macroeconomic indicators show the country is a regional leader with regards to economic growth and lowest indebtedness.

"However, the best proof of our policies are investments on the field, with a fresh cycle has been launched in the past four months, with Johnson Controls opening a second factory, along with investments by Italian, US and Russian companies", added Gruevski.

The Government team presented the macroeconomic indicators, conditions for investments in the tourism field, country's benefits as a favorable business destination, as well as benefits of the technological-industrial zones.

Austrian Federal Economic Chamber president Christoph Leitl said experiences of companies already investing in Macedonia are quite positive, urging businessmen to use the country's investment opportunities.

"Macedonia is the world's third reformer and has taken 25 spot in the latest World Bank report, meaning it has made an enormous step forward as an EU candidate-country", said Leitl, adding that Austria will support Macedonia in the best possible way, although they are aware of problems that are not on economic nature.

Austria is one of the leading investors in Macedonia with an influx of foreign investments of EUR 371,9 million between 1997 and 2010, taking prime spot according to influx of foreign direct investments from 2005 to 2010. This year, the influx of investments stands at EUR 10 million. Austrian capital has been invested in telecommunications, banking sector, insurance and other areas.

There is interest for investments in the energy sector, agriculture, automotive industry, business services, pharmaceutical industry, construction, tourism and infrastructure.

Trade exchange with Austria in the first seven months of 2011 stands at US$ 98 million, with deficit on the Macedonian side.

The Government team will resume its presentation of the country's investment benefits before German businessmen later today.

In the framework of the visit to Austria, PM Gruevski met yesterday with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and took part at the 8. World Economic Forum, where he received the prestigious award for contribution to national and regional economic development in countries-members of the Forum.