In comparison, the monthly increase in Macedonia’s industrial output in February was 13.8%, and the annual decrease, 11.3%.

The number of people employed in Macedonia’s leather industry in the first two months of this year was 1.1 per cent lower than in the same period in 2008. In comparison, the number of people employed in Macedonia in the first two months of this year was 3.9 per cent lower year-on-year.

The average gross monthly wage in Macedonia’s leather industry in January was US$277, an increase of 22% compared with the same month in 2008. In comparison, the average gross monthly wage in Macedonia’s manufacturing sector in January was 6.8% higher year-on-year at US$438.