While the unemployment rate was rising across Europe, 119,000 jobs were being created in Macedonia in recent years. The companies located in the industrial zones currently are employing 6,500 people, however the figure in the coming 12 months is to be increased with additional 10,000 jobs. It proves that the Government's policies are good, substantial and effective, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with tobacco enterprises, Stavreski stated the real sector contributed to job creation by using opportunities offered by the Government.

"The real answer to the question whether and how much the Government's policies on reducing unemployment have helped recently is what has happened with the issue in other countries. All across Europe, the unemployment rate rose while it dropped in Macedonia. Some 119,000 jobs have been created, which shows that the Government's policies were good, substantial and helpful. Through low taxes, by exempting the companies from paying the profit tax, the four anti-crisis packages providing affordable loans in amount of 350 million euros for small and medium enterprises, active employment policies and the overall number of capital investments opening jobs for construction companies, jobs have been created in 25 industrial branches," Stavreski noted.