The new factory 'Aktiva Automotive', which was formally set into operation on Tuesday in Stip-based industrial zone, is opening 100 jobs. Planned construction of new production facilities should open additional 200 jobs.

The new factory of the bus chassis welded elements 'Aktiva' will manufacture bus chassis for the needs of Belgian company 'Van Hool' - located in Skopje technical-industrial development zone 'Bunardzik'.

The new factory is a result of the previous cooperation with Belgian company 'Van Hool', Vice-Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski said at today's ceremony.

The cooperation of foreign companies in Macedonia with domestic ones has resulted in creating jobs, Pesevski said, adding that this new factory is engaging 100 employees at the moment. A construction of new production facilities will however offer opportunity for additional 200 jobs in this region, he said.

"Aktiva' owner Ilija Nikolov said he was proud to say that the new factory was the first capital investment in the automotive industry. He extended gratitude for the support of 'Van Hool' engineering team in realizing the project.

Philip Van Hool, the Belgian company's CEO, said the new factory would meet the needs of 'Van Holl' both in Macedonia and Belgium.

In few months, 'Aktiva' will launch a construction of a plant for manufacturing metal components thus wrapping up the production program for the needs of Belgium's 'Van Hool'. The company manufactures approximately 1,400 buses and coaches, and as many as 4,000 commercial vehicles annually of which 80 % are exported worldwide.

With a workforce of over 4,000, Van Hool is a major bus manufacturer in Europe, offering a complete range of buses for public transport for international markets, ranging from a 9 m midi bus to a 25 m double articulated low floor bus.

For over 65 years, Van Hool has a reputation for designing and building high quality, state-of-the-art, customized products.