Macedonia Aims To Boost Construction Sector

Macedonian Transport Minister Mile Janakieski promised that several benefits directed at construction companies would be a part of the new anti-crisis package planned by the government.

“The fourth anti-crisis package is already being prepared. With it we will try to address most of the concerns of the construction industry,” Janakieski told local media recently.

Representatives from the Construction Chamber, an industry body, asked that priority be given to domestic companies when choosing contractors for state bids. They also urged the administration to implement simplified administration procedures and requested help re-opening overseas markets.

“Serious work needs to be done in order to conquer foreign markets,” the head of the Construction Chamber, Sead Kocan, told media. The construction industry, largely export-oriented, was hit hard last year as foreign markets shrank amid the financial turmoil.

To prop up the ailing industry, the government announced last year that public spending on building infrastructure would be stepped up and promised to keep the domestic construction industry running.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski recently formally announced plans for the continued re-development of central Skopje, which includes construction projects estimated to be worth €210 million.