Minister of Finance, Fatmir Besimi, attended the meeting with the President of the World Bank Group and the Dutch Constituency, of which the Republic of North Macedonia is a member state. In addition to the President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, the meeting was also attended by World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Anna Bjerde, IFC’s Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Georgina Baker, and World Bank Group Executive Director, Koen Davidse.

World Bank support to the thirteen member states in the Dutch Constituency, as well as managing the health and the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were discusses at the meeting. The states’ Governors underlined the importance of the financial assistance which the Bank extended in the past period as an emergency response to the challenges caused by the crisis.

Minister Besimi talked about the three sets of measures adopted so far by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia as an emergency response to mitigate the pandemic effects, also reflecting on the new fourth set of measures aimed at recovering the Macedonian economy.

Following country’s membership in NATO and the announcement of the negotiations with the EU, as well as the coming period of political stability, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia will be focused on attaining a sustainable, inclusive growth by deepening the structural reforms to the end of strengthening the competitiveness of the Macedonian economy.  

President Malpass and Vice Presidents Bjerde and Baker, all asserted the support this international financial institution will extend to the region, including the Republic of North Macedonia, in a form of loans and knowledge transfer and strengthening the capacities of the national institutions. The need for coordinated approach and partnership with the other financial institutions, such as IMF, IFC, MIGA and EU financial institutions, was also pointed out.  They emphasized that the focus in the coming period will be placed on strengthening the human capital development, digitalization and increased support to the private sector via easier access to financing.

At the end, Minister Besimi expressed gratitude for the so-far support the World Bank Group has extended to the Republic of North Macedonia, being implemented through the 2019-2023 Country Partnership Framework, which includes implementation of projects expected to have positive effect on the economic growth.

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