Skopje, 14 October 2021 (MIA) – National Bank Governor Anita Angelovska-Bezhoska and US Ambassador for North Macedonia Kate Marie Byrnes met on Thursday to discuss the crucial significance of independence and professionalism of the central bank when it comes to the preservation of macroeconomic and financial stability. They discussed the contribution of the monetary authorities in the response o the Covid-19 crisis, the National Bank said in a press release. It was pointed out that the measures the National Bank took contributed to stir the economic activity, as well as preserving financial stability in times of crisis. The Governor said that there is a new cycle of macroeconomic projections underway, and the central bank will inform of them in early November. She also said that the GDP’s achievements correspond to the National Bank’s projections. Our foreign currency reserves are a bit better than expected, as well as credit support, she said. Inflation is moderately higher. Inflation movements are the result of import pressures related to the global prices of energy sources and food. Nonetheless, the National Bank will continue to closely monitor the movement of prices, especially inflation expectations and possible secondary effects, and it will react accordingly, said the press release. The Governor also said that the gradual recovery of the economy, which is underway, positively contributes to the sustaining of the macroeconomic and financial stability and it reduces systemic risks. However, the uncertain character of the coronavirus crisis imposes a need for constant readiness and careful monitoring of the conditions in order to take appropriate measures to deal with the challenges. The US Embassy chief of economic and political affairs, Christopher Zimmer, and Jordan Damchevski, senior economist at the US Embassy in North Macedonia, also attended the meeting. dk/ba/