22nd July 2025, Skopje – More funds for investments on central and local level, support to the private sector for new investments and job creation, secure and regular payment of wages, pensions and social contributions have been projected under the 2025 draft Supplementary Budget, which is undergoing discussions at the plenary session as of today.
Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, when elaborating on the draft Supplementary Budget, stressed the key importance of these amendments in view of having these funds provided seamlessly and without any borrowing, i.e. that the budget deficit remains unchanged, being kept at the same level both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GDP.
“Today, I present the amended 2025 Supplementary Budget before the Parliament and the public at large, our core polices focused on macroeconomic stability, development and fiscal consolidation. This document affirms our commitment to economic stability, development and accountable public finance management, reflecting the continuation of a course that is already yielding results – the positive trends in the economy”, the Minister said.
As the Minister said, the proposed Supplementary Budget is a testimony of the Government’s cost-effective operations. “We are servicing prior liabilities, prior foreign debts, ensuring growth in wages and pensions, providing support to the economy, all the while reducing the budget deficit compared to last year. This commitment remains steadfast, and neither I, as Minister of Finance, nor the Ministry will waver therefrom”, Dimtrieska-Kochoska stated.
She underlined that under the Supplementary Budget additional funds are allocated for projects with intensified implementation dynamics that foster development, thereby also employing the funds from previous years, lying idle in the special revenue accounts (SRA).
Under the Supplementary Budget, as pointed out by the Minister, the economic growth projection remains steady at 3.7%, based on the achievements so far, with the gross investments expected to be the main driving force of this growth.
“The policies are designed to meet the challenges arising from the global developments. We cannot overlook the developments worldwide, particularly those affecting our major trading partners. Therefore, our policies are focused on maintaining the stability of the domestic economy and the domestic companies. Support will be provided to the domestic companies with affordable loans, the domestic economy by implementing municipal projects, as well as by launching the anticipated investment cycle and projects involving strategic partnerships at bilateral level, as well as with international financial institutions”, the Minister said.
As per the proposed Supplementary Budget, total revenues are projected in the amount of Denar 362.4 billion, being a 1% increase compared to the initial projections. Total expenditures are projected in the amount of Denar 403.7 billion, being by around 1% higher compared to the initial projections. Budget deficit remains unchanged, specifically Denar 41.3 billion or 4% of GDP.
As per the proposed amendments on the expenditure side, funds have been reallocated among budget users to cover necessary expenditure items. Additional funds have been allocated for projects in the field of environmental protection, as support for energy, culture and education sectors, followed by support intended for the health sector, specifically for procurement of insulin and medical equipment by expanding the SRA budget. Furthermore, additional Denar 1 billion has been provided to ensure uninterrupted wage payments, primarily to finance the 10% wage increase for the employees in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Denar 2.5 billion has been allocated to the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund for paying the increased pensions and transitional costs, as well as another Denar 1 billion for capital expenditures to institutions demonstrating intensified project implementation dynamics, particularly within the Ministry of Defence.
Capital expenditures are projected in the amount of Denar 47.4 billion, accounting for 11.7% of total budget expenditures and 4.6% of GDP.
The debate upon the proposed 2025 Supplementary Budget in the Parliament, as per the Rules of Procedure, may last up to five days.
