2013 is a successful economic year in which a GDP growth of nearly 3% is expected to be recorded, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said Thursday at the opening of this year’s FINEXPO.

“This year the economy recovered. In the first half of 2013 there was a growth of 3.4% and according to current data it is expected a 3% growth to be registered in the third quarter,” Stavreski noted saying utmost efforts had been made considering the developments across Europe, because “Macedonia’s growth is the highest in the region.”

The growth was mainly backed by capital investments and the export of foreign direct investments, according to him.

The Deputy PM said the government would continue with capital investments in 2014 as well. “365 million euros have been envisaged and additional 160 million euros for roads,” Stavreski stated calling all Macedonian firms to join the realization of these projects.

Stavreski stressed that Macedonian firms will be also supported in order to operate as suppliers to the foreign companies working in Macedonia.

“A working group will be set up, 20 to 30 local companies with a potential will be identified. With additional investments and training of their staff, attempts will be made to improve the technological capacity in order to become suppliers to the foreign companies. With that, we will feel the real effect from attracting foreign investors in the country,” FinMin Stavreski concluded.