Top Economy
With a GDP of € 5.85 billion (45% of the national total), 27,784 companies (39% of the national total), and an total state export of about € 8.32 billion (at the national level), Skopje’s region, where belongs Municipality of Gazi Baba – Skopje, ranks as the top regional economy in North Macedonia. The population is around 0.607 million in the entire region (33% of the national total), of which 0.526 million in the Skopje metropolitan area.
Capital of Manufacturing
Municipality of Gazi Baba – Skopje is Macedonian largest manufacturer and in the last 30 years it has always ranked as one of the top 5 municipality’s manufacturers in the Republic of North Macedonia. Around 39% of Skopje’s regional added value is generated by the manufacturing sector and its suppliers. Thanks to this strong industrial presence that is a fertile ground for continuous innovation and growth, Municipality of Gazi Baba – Skopje is a Macedonian reference point for Industry 4.0.
Sectors of Excellence
MGB’s pharmaceutical sector records a turnover of € 392 million and 2,259 employees. Almost 31% of the total consolidated sales went on the domestic market, while foreign markets account for 69%. MGB is also regionally recognized by the sector of beverages and beer production, with turnover of € 236 million and 399 employees. In this sector, 86% of the sales went on the domestic market, while foreign markets account for 14%. In MGB local economy iron and steel sector plays a significant role with turnover of € 543 million and 2,106 employees. In this sector mostly, 95% of its sales, went on the European foreign markets, and only 5% on the domestic market.
The MGB’s energy production sector records a turnover of € 449 million and 199 employees, where a small portion of the production went on the foreign markets.
The trade sector is playing the leading role in the MGB’s local economy with turnover of € 1,852 million and 6,156 employees.
In the logistic sector as a driver of the MGB’s local economy, freight road transport records a turnover of € 234 million and 3,026 employees.
At the Center of Southeastern Europe Logistics Flows
The two trans-European transport corridors, European corridor 8 – E65 East – West, Varna – Sofia – Skopje – Tirana – Durres and European corridor 10 – E75 South – North, Athens – Thessaloniki -Skopje – Belgrade – Zagreb – Munich, are at the crossroads in the Municipality of Gazi Baba – Skopje, where new high-speed and high-capacity infrastructure are under construction along the lines. Proximity to the important Aegean port (Thessaloniki 230 km¹ distance), Ionian port (Durres – 297 km¹ distance), Adriatic port (Bar 352 km¹) and Black sea port (Varna – 688 km¹ distance and Burgas – 634 km¹ distance), make the region a strategic logistic platform for South East Europe and Balkan region. Skopje International Airport guarantees daily flights to all the major European international hubs.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Prominent universities – State University of St. Cyril and Methodius – Skopje, and Private Universities: European University, American University of Europe – FON, University American College of Skopje, Heidelberg Faculty of Skopje, MIT University Skopje, International Balkan University Skopje, represent Skopje’s higher educational backbone, with about 50,000 enrolled students. In Skopje, around 9.5% of the population is represented by university students. These universities, lie at the center of a relevant network of international relations and have a good track record of industry collaboration.
Open to Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
Municipality of Gazi Baba is one of the best location for foreign companies within the Macedonian market and territory: more than 20 multinationals and foreign-controlled enterprises have already chosen to set-up a business in the municipality. They record a total turnover of around €2 billion. As a country with strategic goal to become a member of the European Union, companies located in MGB have duty free access to more than 30 national markets within the European Economic Area and the world’s richest consumer market of 446 million people, over 330 million of whom share the same currency.
Public Support to Foreign Investors
Municiaplity of Gazi Baba and State Agency for FDI – Invest in North Macedonia, with operative support of the MGB’s sector for local economic development, support foreign and external enterprises interested in setting up their business in the region. The support services are free, confidential and tailor made and divided into 6 categories: business planning, support to business set- up, identification of incentives, location scouting, organization of incoming missions to Municipality of Gazi Baba, and post- investment aftercare.
Pro Investment Incentives
Municipality of Gazi Baba in cooperation with the Invest in North Macedonia have created a dedicated financial tool for attracting and financing foreign companies willing to set-up in the territory: the Investment Contract. All the incentives are granted through a preliminary evaluation process managed by the Government of Republic of North Macedonia, which coordinates the procedures related to the assignment, delivery and monitoring of the subsidies promoted by Invest in North Macedonia and financed by national and municipal government funds.
Top Quality of Life and Cultural Offer
MGB as a part of the Capital city of Skopje and Skopje’s region, offers a first-class environment for living, as well as for doing business. High standard schools, accessible public transport and excellent healthcare and social services, rich and varied leisure activities. Museums, outstanding mountains, wonderful nature and cultural tradition, with the stamp of different centuries and cultural and natural heritage, that are beloved by their visitors, and a unique gastronomic offer make MGB and Skopje’s region a welcoming territory waiting to be discovered.