26th December 2025, Skopje – The projected real growth rate of 3.8% for 2026 is considered realistically attainable. Tax revenues will be collected as per the projections, while digitalization plays crucial role in the significantly increased efficiency in spending budget funds, Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, highlighted in an interview for the monthly issue of “Ekonomija i Biznis“.
“The projected real growth rate for 2026 is set at 3.8%%, a target that is considered realistically attainable. However, we unquestionably track global developments, while also taking into account all potential risks. Therefore, the 2026 Budget was not projected with an optimistic outlook, but rather, I would say, with a very prudent-even conservative approach. I acknowledge that the Budget no longer has any buffers in place, which could be used in times of crisis, as the previous Government exhausted them all and failed to take concrete actions therefor, unlike neighboring countries. For this reason, the projections have been prepared with the utmost prudence. It is a fact that this year’s projected nominal GDP will exceed our expectations, providing additional room in the following year for public debt and deficit ratios. As for tax revenues, they are expected to be collected as projected, with no risks anticipated in this regard, “Minister said in her interview.
She underlined that no tax changes are planned, in line with the pre-election campaign promise, but that all tax and customs laws will be reviewed to identify any non-compliance.
“There will be absolutely no changes to taxes. That was our pre-election campaign promise. I am always guided by the principle that the state should be paid its due—no more, but certainly no less. That is precisely why we are reviewing the laws – to further clarify issues and prevent any misunderstandings. Let me give an example from the VAT Law. We began working on this more than a month ago. At my insistence, we examined all articles referred to in the Law and found that certain principles set in 2000 remain unchanged, causing confusion over the years. For this very reason, I involved experts, mainly consulting companies, who encounter questions on a daily basis, that they cannot provide precise answers to. All these efforts are and will be taken all to the end of creating the most precise and effective laws possible. This approach ensures that the system cannot be circumvented, and that ambiguities in the law cannot serve as justification for individuals’ actions. Unfortunately, the cornerstone of any country—its tax laws—has seen only superficial changes over the years. Now is the time to make that change. Our first priority must be ensuring that everyone pays their taxes, before considering any changes to tax rates,” Dimitrieska-Kochoska said, noting that digitalization is the key to significantly reducing inefficient spending of budget funds.
During her interview, she also addressed capital expenditure execution, VAT refund to companies, the implementation of reforms under the Reform Agenda, and similar issues.
The full interview is available at the following link: https://www.ekonomijaibiznis.mk/News.aspx?IdNews=47352.
