MUNICIPALITY VALANDOVO

BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUNICIPALITY

In the south-eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, on the left river bank of Vardar, between Demir Kapija gorge, mountain Plavush and the floodplain of the river Vardar to the south the Municipality of Valandovo extends. Municipality of Valandovo borders the municipalities of Bogdanci, Gevgelija, Dojran, Strumica, Demir Kapija and Konche. Through the mountains it borders Republic of Greece. According to the elevation this municipality is one of the smallest in the country, with an average elevation of 226meters. During Byzantine time the town was famous as Micro Constantinople ( Small Constantinople). The name Valandovo comes from the old Slavic language and means “Beautiful Valley”.

Nowadays, Valandovo is known as a town of the pomegranate and the lovely newly composed Macedonian music. According to the territorial organization of local self government units as of 2005 the territory of the Municipality of Valandovo was comprised of the city of Valandovo and the following 28 populated surrounding areas: Ajranli, Arazli, Bajrambos, Balinci, Barakli, Bashali, Bashibos, Brajkovci, Buluntuli, Vejseli, Gradec, Grchishte, Dedeli, Gjuleli, Josifovo, Kazandol, Kochuli, Marvinci, Pirava, Plavush, Prsten, Rabrovo, Sobri, Tatarli, Terzeli, Udovo, Chalaki and Chestevo.

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRANSPORT NETWORK

HUMAN RESOURCES AND EDUCATION

Population: 11.890 inhabitants (according to the census of 2002).

Gender structure: 6.139 men, 5.751 women.

Ethnic structure of the population: 82,67% Macedonians, 11,21% Turks, 5,27% Serbs, 0,74% other.

Age structure of the population (2014)

Chart: Population pyramid – Valandovo

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Source: State Statistical Office, 2015.

Active and passive job seekers

Number of unemployed people: 1.071 (as of 31.11.2015 ).

Educational institutions: At the territory of the municipality there is one high school and two primary schools.

Chart: Unemployed people - Valandovo

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Source: Employment Service Agency, Republic of Macedonia, 2015.

Age structure of the unemployed

Chart: Active job seekers

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Source: Employment Service Agency, Republic of Macedonia, 2015.

Chart: Passive jobseekers

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Source: Employment Service Agency, Republic of Macedonia, 2015.

Educational structure of the unemployed

LOCAL ECONOMY

Number of active business entities: 357.

Chart: Active business entities -Valandovo

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Source: State Statistical Office, 2015

Dominant industries: production of tobacco, food industry, textile industry, wood-processing industry, construction industry.

Chart: Number of business entities in the dominant industries– Valandovo

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Source: State Statistical Office, 2015

Main comparative advantages of the Municipality: closeness to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria, favorable climatic conditions and favorable investment conditions.

Most important local enterprises: Winery Valandovo (processing of semi-finished and finished products made from grapes), Eco Greenhouses Anska Reka (production of vegetables products) Agripro (poultry), Dairy “Vardarec” s. Udovo (production of milk and dairy products).

Most important foreign investors: Agrokor, Croatia (purchase-distribution center).

Mineral resources: lime, stone pits (non-mineral raw materials)

Tourism and catering industry: 1 hotel, 8 restaurants, 5 coffee bar and 3 night clubs.

INDUSTRIAL ZONES AND LOCATIONS FOR INVESTMENT

Municipality of Valandovo has the industrial zone “Rabrovo” which is on excellent location and is in full private ownership. This industrial zone has 48 parcels determined.

Municipal advantages for investing in the industrial zones: Reducing the fee for arranging the constructional land depending on the number of jobs created with the obligation to maintain the number of employment for a period of 5 years (5-20 employees - 25%, 21-50 employees - 50%, 51-100 employees - 75%, more than 100 employees - 100%).