bid to attract more interest from domestic and foreign investors in 2000 the first Free Economic Zone (FEZ) of North Macedonia was founded in Kavadarci. German company DRÄXLMAIER Group was the first investor in the FEZ (Free Economic Zone) with the opening of their first plant in 2012. The plant manufactures electrical system sets for the automotive industry. The factory is the largest employer in the city, with the current employee count reaching above 5000 employees. Tobacco Kavadarci is known for its timber and tobacco production. Alliance One Macedonia, one of the largest tobacco processing companies in North Macedonia is located in Kavadarci, producing and exporting Macedonian Oriental tobacco to the United States, Japan, and selected EU and Asian countries. Main sights Tikveški Grozdober In the first week of September of each year a festival called "Tikveški Grozdober" (Тиквешки гроздобер, lit. Tikveš grape picking) is held for several days marking the beginning of the wine grape harvest in the Tikveš region and commemorating the liberation of Kavadarci. Such is the importance of this fruit, the city flag is composed of six circles in white and red representing the town's most abundant and important produce. Tikveški Grozdober officially began in 1964. It takes place over several days and is one of the largest cultural manifestations of its kind in the region. The festival includes folk, pop and rock concerts, traditional dancing, seminars, presentations and exhibitions. During this time the city centre houses many temporary restaurants, stalls and shops open to allow visitors to experience the smells and tastes of local delicacies. It culminates in a carnival procession through the main streets of the town. Lake Tikveš Lake Tikveš () is the largest artificial lake in North Macedonia. It is located above sea level, southwest of Kavadarci on the Crna Reka, and from the village of Vozarci. The lake was built in 1968 by redirecting river water and building a high dam. It has a surface area of approximately , a length of and width of . The average temperature of the water is , the maximum depth is , and the total volume is approximately . Its two main sources of water are the Crna Reka and the Dragov River. The artificial accumulation is provides water to the local area for businesses such as irrigation and fisheries. It generates electricity through the use of a hydro power plant (HPP), is a