16th October 2025, Washington - During the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska met with Antonella Bassani, Regional Vice President, World Bank, Xiaoqing Yu, Regional Director for Western Balkans, Europe and Central Asia Region, World Bank, Eugene Rhuggenaath, Executive Director, World Bank, and Carole Megevand, Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia, Europe and Central Asia Region.
Discussions centered on the macroeconomic and fiscal trends, the progress achieved as regards the ongoing project implementation, as well as the prospects for introducing new World Bank financial instruments in support of both budget and structural reforms.
The meeting primarily focused on the projects currently being implemented in Macedonia, geared towards improving infrastructure, enhancing energy efficiency, advancing digitalization, strengthening public finance management, and fostering human capital development.
“Government remains committed to fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and intensified economic growth by making investments in public infrastructure and human capital,” Minister Dimitrieska-Kochooska stressed.
The World Bank commended Macedonia’s progress and reaffirmed its partnership in implementing reforms and projects under the new Country Partnership Framework, as affirmed in the latest Western Balkans Regular Economic Report, as per which Macedonian economic growth is expected to accelerate to 3.1% in 2025, reflecting an improvement compared to earlier forecasts.
WB noted that Macedonia continues to uphold fiscal stability, with a budget deficit below 3% and a downward public debt trajectory, thus creating room for sustainable growth and a conducive investment climate.
Points of discussion also covered the economic forecasts and the potential for their further improvement through scaled-up public investments, boosted productivity, and stronger support of export-oriented enterprises. Meeting was also attended by the Governor of the National Bank, Trajko Slaveski.
