Skopje, 9th July 2014 (MIA) – 2013 Budget was executed as planned. Budget execution accounted for 96.13%, including high level of revenue performance and regular settlement of the liabilities.

This was pointed out at today’s debate on the final account of the 2013 Budget at the Parliamentary Financing and Budget Committee. Expenditures were realized in the amount of Denar 159,505 million, revenues were collected in the amount of Denar 140,248 million, while budget deficit of Denar 19,257 million was within the planned framework. Macedonian economy in 2013 experienced 2.9% growth, being by 2% more than the projections. Such higher performance, compared to the projections, was a result of the growth in the construction sector and the industry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, underlined that in a period of crisis, it was not always easy to meet the set policies, however, the Government responded in the best way possible, without additionally burdening the business sector, and having all liabilities settled in a timely manner.

According to him, the right path to deal with the challenges was chosen, the final account speaking in favour thereof.

– Consistency, professional approach and seriousness in dealing with the challenges is the right approach, which the Government will continue to apply, Stavreski pointed out.

He stressed that in 2013, like in the previous years, the amount of fines and penalties in relation to the total revenues in the Budget was exceptionally low. Denar 532 million, or 0.38% of the total budget revenues, was collected on the same basis last year.

– Hence, here ends the story of whether fines and penalty policy and the operations of the PRO are used to collect budget revenues. PRO, like in every other state, is obliged to collect the budget tax revenues. Exceptionally high level of responsiveness of the taxpayers shows that tax policy in the Republic of Macedonia is set on sound basis, meaning that we have managed, with low taxes, which are the lowest in Europe, to expand the tax base and for more companies to decide to voluntarily pay the taxes, i.e. to shift from the grey economy. Thus, more budget revenues are collected and the business sector is less burdened. This is the best thing a Government can do for the business sector, Minister of Finance pointed out.

Macedonian economy in 2013 experienced 2.9% growth, being by 2% more than the projections. Such higher performance, compared to the projections, was a result of the growth in the construction industry.

Krste Mukoski from VMRO-DPMNE, pointed out during the debate that 2013 Budget execution was at exceptionally high level, as the tax collection was. He went on by adding that forced collection was applied at only 4% of the taxes.

He also said that tax collection in 2005 was by 30% lower, showing how big the grey economy was. He also compared the social transfers for which Denar 5 million was allocated in 2005, while in 2013, such amount was allocated only for two items.

Romeo Trenev talked about the manner the 2013 Budget was adopted and the assessments of the opposition that it was not realistic, pointing out that the final account showed that nothing was unreal and that all the promises made were fulfilled.

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