U.S. companies Aptiv and Dura Automotive Systems, which operate in the Bunardzik industrial zone near Skopje, plan to withdraw from North Macedonia, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said there was no reason for concern, stressing that the country remains an attractive destination for foreign investors.
“There will always be companies that enter the market and others that leave. That’s part of economic reality and should not be seen as a crisis,” Mickoski told reporters during a visit to the German-owned Kostal plant in Ohrid.
Government expects new wave of investments
The government announced that by the end of the year, four to five new investors are expected to sign agreements to open production facilities in the country’s Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ), potentially creating around 1,000 new jobs.
“North Macedonia remains one of the most competitive economies in Europe, and we are proving that with results,” Mickoski said.
German company Kostal said it will launch a new investment cycle in 2026 worth €30 million, adding 200 new jobs.
Company manager Viktor Mizo said the departure of some manufacturers should not be interpreted as a sign of capital flight from the country.
“These are internal business decisions linked to the current stagnation in the European industrial sector. We continue to invest, which shows we made the right choice to expand in North Macedonia,” Mizo said.
Automotive sector remains key to exports
The 20 largest automotive companies operating in North Macedonia in 2022 generated total revenues of €3.82 billion, accounting for roughly 46% of the country’s total annual exports.
Companies such as Johnson Matthey, Kromberg & Schubert, Amphenol Technology, Marquardt, Tab Mak, Joyson Safety Systems, Draexlmaier, Gentherm, Lear Corporation, Kostal, Adient, ARC Automotive, LTH Learnica, Aptiv, ODW Elektrik, Accomplast, Kablo, Murat Ticaret and Dura Automotive Systems, among others, have established large export-oriented manufacturing plants in the country and have already reinvested several times.
In recent years, a number of smaller local and foreign ventures in this sector have also succeeded, creating opportunities for further industrial growth and diversification.
Aptiv and Dura were among the first major U.S. investors in North Macedonia’s automotive components sector. Their expected exit comes amid a broader slowdown in European industrial production, though officials insist that the overall investment trend in the country remains positive.