Turkish Export Product Fair, including 42 Turkish companies interested to invest in Macedonia, opened in Skopje on Thursday.

Products from numerous fields will be presented - pharmaceutical and food industries, agriculture, packaging, hotel equipment, glassware, shoes, medicine, toys, education, tourism, security systems, furniture, textile, household appliances, fashion and construction materials.

Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Abdilaqim Ademi, Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia Gurol Sokmensuer, and Agency for Foreign Investments director Visar Fida opened the fair.

"Here we have the potential Turkish investors who want to expand their operations in Macedonia. This proves that the country currently has the best investment climate, whereas the event opens fresh opportunities for enhancement of excellent relations with Turkey", said Minister Ademi.

He added there is room for improvement of bilateral economic relations, saying the Government would invest efforts into increasing trade exchange.

Agency for Foreign Investments director Fida urged Turkish businessmen to invest in Macedonia, referring to the benefits offered to foreign investors.

"Turkey is seen as a one of the countries investing in the production of automotive components, agriculture, food processing, IT, pharmaceutical industry, medicine etc", added Fida.

Turkey is among Macedonia's top ten trading partners. Turkish investments in the country amounted to US$ 72 million in 2011, whereas trade exchange was approximately US$ 410 million.

The fair is hosted by the Macedonian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce (MATTO), international fair organization "Meridyen", the Turkish Ministry of Economy, chambers of commerce from Ankara and Eskisehir, as well as the Thrace Development Agency.