A German company - manufacturer and development partner for the international automotive industry – is the latest brown field investment in the free economic zone of Ohrid-Struga region. The company will invest EUR 15 million and open 1.000 jobs, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Thursday in Bitola.

The negotiations between Macedonia’s Government and the German ODW ELEKTRIK were wrapped up today, Gruevski said.

The German company will construct its factory on 10.000sqm in the free economic zone Ohrid-Struga, which is already under construction, the PM said. The plant in Macedonia should become operational by the end of this year and employ some 1.000 people.

Another German company has informed the Government about its decision to invest in Macedonia and open 800 jobs, Gruevski said.

The PM said he expected other investments, as the Government's negotiations with numerous investors were in various phases. Creating of jobs is our main objective, Gruevski said.

ODW ELEKTRIK Director Ludwig Bathon said the skilled labor force, solid industrial experience and the support of state institutions were among the reasons that had attracted the company to invest in Macedonia.

ODW-ELEKTRIK is an innovative development partner and supplier of high-quality cables, solenoids and mechatronic systems. Since the family business’s inception in 1970 the company has constantly been expanding its product assortment and improving manufacturing processes.

Today it develops and manufactures top-quality products in three European locations (Germany, Hungary, Ukraine) with staff of approximately 1,600 employees.