3rd September 2021, Skopje – Ministry of Finance organizes the First Annual Conference of the Ministry of Finance “Economic Recovery and Growth beyond COVID” within the Skopje Economic Finance Forum, to take place on 6th and 7th September 2021.
For two days, high-level officials from international financial institutions, government representatives from the country and the region, experts, NGO representatives and the business sector will have the opportunity to share experience, exchange ideas and address the global and the regional perspectives on post-pandemic recovery and growth. Minister of Finance, Mr. Fatmir Besimi, and President of Government, Mr. Zoran Zaev, will open the Conference with their speeches, followed by two panels during which high-level representatives will present their views on the topic, addressing the key issues – How can policies best support growth? What are the main challenges for maintaining security in a changing world? Which types of fiscal and monetary interventions helped businesses and jobs? What are the risks associated with a premature withdrawal of fiscal stimulus measures?
Ms. Anna Bjerde, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, H.E. Ms. Kate Marie Byrnes, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of North Macedonia, Prof. Andrew White at the Oxford University, Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, Minister Radmila Shekerinska and Ms. Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General, as well as Mr. Haoliang Xu from the UNDP, will deliver their speech at Panel 1: Global and Regional Challenges and Prospects of Recovery and Growth.
Macroeconomic policies and public finances in post-pandemic times will be debated at Panel 2, with the Minister of Finance Fatmir Besimi, Ministers of Finance of Kosovo and Albania, Mr. Hekuran Murati and Ms. Anila Denaj, Governor Ms. Anita Angelovska – Bezhoska, World Bank Regional Director for Western Balkans, Ms. Linda Van Gelder, Mr. Alfred Kammer from the IMF and Chairman of the Parliamentary Finances and Budget Committee, Mr. Timco Mucunski, addressing the respective Panel.
Panel 3 is titled “Good Governance and Social Cohesion”, during which Ministers Spasovski, Marichic, Deputy Prime Minister Nikolovski, H.E. Mr. David Geer, Head of Delegation of the European Union, British Ambassador to North Macedonia, H.E. Ms. Rachel Galloway, and Ms. Barbara Kolm, Vice President of the Austrian Central Bank, will give a speech.
Second day at the Conference is dedicated to the public and the private investments and the competitiveness, the green economy, as well as the human capital and the inclusive development, with Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, President of the Republic of North Macedonia, and Mr. Petre Shilegov, Mayor of Skopje, addressing the Conference.
Ideas about the possibilities for greater private sector involvement are expected to be presented at Panel 4: Public and Private Investments and Competitiveness. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi, EIB Vice President Мs. Lilyana Pavlova, EBRD First Vice President, Мr. Jürgen Rigterink, Ministers Bekteshi and Bochvarski, IFC Regional Manager for Central and Southeast Europe, Mr. Ary Naim, as well as Presidents of the three largest Chambers of Commerce, Azeski, Arsovska and Hoxha, will be the speakers at this Panel.
Panel 5: Smart and Green Economy will have European Commissioner Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, IMF Executive Director Mr. Paul Hilbers, World Bank Country Manager for North Macedonia Mr. Massimiliano Paolucci, MIGA Regional Head for Europe and Central Asia Ms. Olga Sclovscaia, UNDP Resident Representative in North Macedonia Ms. Narine Sahakyan, and Minister Naser Nuredini, as speakers.
The Conference will be wrapped up with Panel 6, debating on human capital, which is key for economic development and growth. Ideas are expected to be presented covering the topic “Human Capital and Inclusive Growth”, addressing the strengthening of the health and the education system, as well as other key issues in the area.
Speeches will be delivered by Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank, Mr. Rolf Wenzel, Ministers Filipche, Carovska, Osmani, Milevski, Stefoska, as well as World Bank Practice Manager for Education for Europa and Central Asia, Mr. Harry Patrinos, and World Bank Program Leader for Human Development for Western Balkans, Mr. Jamele Rigolini.
Mr. Fatmir Besimi, Minister of Finance Mr. Dimitar Kovacevski, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Ms. Jelena Tast, State Secretary, will present the Conference closing remarks.
The idea for organizing this international conference stems from the commitment of the Ministry of Finance as an institution geared towards promoting and implementing inclusive dialogue with the social stakeholders. The Conference is to lay the foundations and to become one with a tradition and strong influence in the region and Europe.
