24th September 2026, Skopje - No revision to the growth rate forecast or changes to the budget deficit are expected by the end of the year. Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska said that developments are being monitored and that the budget deficit, GDP growth and borrowing remain in line with the projections set out in the Supplementary Budget.
“We do not anticipate any significant changes by the end of the year and continue to stand by our projections, particularly given the 4.3% GDP growth recorded in the second quarter. Over the past two years, the Government has worked diligently and with strong commitment to supporting the economy, and I believe these efforts are now yielding tangible results. As regards the budget deficit, the projected level will remain unchanged, regardless of whether a Supplementary Budget is adopted. Should we decide to adopt a Supplementary Budget, cuts would be made on both the revenue and expenditure sides. If current conditions persist, I reiterate that the deficit will not exceed the projected level, and the same applies to borrowing, as both are defined in the Supplementary Budget, approved by the Parliament. These are the parameters within which the Ministry of Finance must operate,” the Minister of Finance said in an interview for Macedonian Television in New York.
She emphasized that developments are being closely monitored and that actions are being taken in response to global developments.
“Our decisions will be guided by these developments.” Last week, Ministry of Finance held a meeting with the Public Revenue Office and the Customs Administration to review expectations in light of current developments, assess projections through the end of the year and examine Budget revenue collection. What we can jointly conclude is that revenue collection remains broadly in line with projections, with the exception of revenues from excise duties due to the measures in place,” the Minister noted.
Minister of Finance, who participated at the working session “Powering Growth in the New Economy”, held as part of the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2026 in New York, underlined that the measures introduced in response to the crisis are appropriate and have impact on the Budget.
“It is evident that the impact has been most pronounced in the area of excise duty revenues, which has been the primary focus of the measures. On the other hand, we can confirm that Macedonia is among the countries recording the highest and most stable growth rates, as well as one of the lower inflation rates, clearly demonstrating that the measures have been appropriately targeted. I must stress that throughout the discussion, the recurring message was that we need to focus on long-term growth driven by productivity. To achieve high productivity, you also need to ensure that your inputs or raw materials are as cost-effective as possible. In a way, keeping energy resource prices low is also essential in boosting our competitiveness. Therefore, I would say that we are moving in the right direction, however, uncertainty still persists, and we will continue to adapt to global developments, as these are beyond our control,” Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska pointed out.
