The growth of industrial production and the mounting number of workers in the industry in January is positive giving a strong impulse on the economy's development in 2014, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski stated on Friday.

Commenting the latest statistical data on industrial production rising 6.4%, FinMin Stavreski said there were solid trends in the industry, which "represents a support toward achieving the envisaged economic growth for this year."

It is vital that new jobs are being created in the industry, according to him.

"The number of workers in the industry rose by 6.5% this January compared to the same month last year. In comparison with 2006, the number of workers in the industry increased by nearly 27 thousand. Taking into consideration that this past period was mostly hit by a global and European crisis and many workers were laid off in a lot of countries, in Macedonia the number of workers is rising. Unquestionably these are positive movements and I expect it to stimulate the economy's development this year," noted Deputy PM Stavreski.