Skopje, 1 November 2024 (MIA) - We base the growth rate on real investments, said Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska, promising the realization of the projected Mden 50 billion (EUR 800 million) for capital investments in the 2025 draft-Budget, which will be forwarded to the Parliament on Friday.

"Corridors VIII and X are among the priorities, as are municipalities, energy efficiency projects, facilitation of trade and transport in the Western Balkans, modernization of agriculture, regional waste treatment, improvement of water supply infrastructure, reconstruction of penitentiaries and student dormitories, construction of schools and sports halls," Minister Dimitrieska Kochoska told a press briefing.

Regarding doubts over the projected 3.7-percent GDP growth, she presented data from previous years, saying real investments did not exceed Mden 15 billion (EUR 250 million).

According to her, the Mden 50 billion amount in the 2025 Budget is real investment, not transfers for salaries, public enterprises or shareholders' associations etc.

The FinMin said ministries had many demands when the Budget was drafted, which if accepted, would have led to a 13.5-percent deficit or over Mden 2 billion (EUR 32.5 million).

"There is an increase of Mden 3.5 billion (EUR 57 million) for salaries, Mden 2 billion (EUR 32.5 million) more for bloc transfers, primarily in education, a rise of Mden 5.2 billion (EUR 84 million) for higher wages in the healthcare sector, additional Mden 15 billion (EUR 250 million) for pensions, further Mden 500 million (EUR 8 million) for social transfers," said Dimitrieska Kochoska.

Earlier this week, the Government adopted the 2025 draft-Budget, with revenues projected at Mden 358 billion (EUR 5.81 billion) and expenditures at Mden 400 billion (EUR 6.49 billion). The GDP growth is projected at 3.7 percent, the deficit at four percent, while inflation at 2.2 percent.

Upon submission to the Parliament, the draft-Budget will be discussed in the Committee on Finances and Budget for a period of ten days, followed by a plenary session.

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