The opening of the Free economic zone Balti is, according to the Ministry of Economy and many independent analysts, one of the most important economic events in 2010, Info-Prim Neo reports. FEZ Balti initially included 2 subzones 11.85 hectares large. On October 19, the zone was extended and 136.49 hectares were allotted for the creation of a third subzone. FEZ Balti will be administered by the German company Dra Draexlmaier Automotive LTD, specialized in producing topnotch goods and implementing innovational projects. 8000 jobs are planned to be created in the FEZ, which is expected to become Balti’s industrial center. In 2010, 22 new resident companies were registered in Moldova’s 7 FEZs. According to the data of the Ministry of Economy, there are 157 companies working in the FEZs, which employ about 5000 people. The total amount of these businesses’ net production sales reached 958.7 million lei, which is 4.5% of Moldova’s overall industrial production. The figures increased by 45% compared to the first 9 months of 2009. $130 million have been invested in FEZs since their opening.