17th October 2025, Skopje - Government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability and improving economic performance in order to attain higher and sustainable economic growth rates. Emphasis is placed on public financial management reforms and preservation of fiscal discipline in support of ongoing fiscal consolidation, as highlighted during the meeting between Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska and Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director, IMF, Jeroen Clicq, Executive, IMF Executive Board, Marnix van Rij, Alternate Executive Director, IMF, Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director, IMF, Alfred Kammer, Director of the European Department, IMF, and Nick Gigineishvili, Mission Chief for North Macedonia in the IMF. Meeting was also attended by Governor of the National Bank, Trajko Slaveski.
“The positive economic trends that emerged in the second half of last year are poised to proceed throughout 2025 as well. GDP growth rate over the last four quarters, as of Q2 2024 until Q2 2025, has hovered around and above 3%. State Statistical Office has recently published data, indicating a 3% GDP growth rate of 3% for 2024. “Our Government’s key priority continues to be boosted economic growth through infrastructure investments, as well as by ensuring strong execution of capital expenditures within public finance structure,” the Minister of Finance stated.
She further noted that economic stabilization has been underpinned by a disciplined fiscal policy.
“We remain committed to preserving fiscal stability through continued fiscal consolidation and enhanced discipline as regards public financial management. Measures aimed at reducing the informal economy and improving tax and revenue collection, both at central and local level, will play a key role to that end. “Fiscal consolidation process is well underway, with a medium-term projection to reduce the deficit from 3.5% of GDP in 2026 to 2.8% in 2029,” the Minister stressed, also highlighting the significance of the e-invoice introduction.
Dimitrieska-Kochoska also touched upon the country’s process of accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), offering multiple benefits to Macedonian citizens and businesses by executing euro transactions with EU Member States in a more streamlined, expedited, and cost-efficient manner.
Another topic discussed at the meeting covered the preparation of the new 2026 Budget, which provides for upholding the continuity in pursuing fiscal consolidation policies and boosting economic growth.
Attention was also drawn to the ongoing implementation of the reforms stipulated by the Organic Budget Law, along with the reform activities associated with the European Commission’s Growth Plan.
Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska held a meeting with representatives from the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, thereby stressing the importance of cooperation as regards capacity building across various areas as regards public financial management, as well as the provision of expertise for implementing key reforms.
The meetings Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska attended, were held as part of the IMF/ WB Annual Meetings, taking place in Washington this week. In addition to discussions with IMF representatives, in Washington, the Minister held meetings with top officials from the World Bank, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as well as representatives of international financial institutions.
