Skopje, 17 July 2024 (MIA) - Businesses will receive the planned EUR 250 million from the EUR 500 million Hungarian loan under the same conditions as the state, said Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska on Wednesday, whereas the realization of the funds would be discussed with the Development Bank.

Minister Dimitrieska Kochoska said loans would be allocated under certain criteria, since "the prior practice of approving funds without control of how they are spent must stop".

"We must set the requirements and put these funds into companies that make real investments and have a positive impact on the GDP. Too much has been spent through the Fund for Innovations and the Law on Financial Support of Investments, while the impact on the Budget and the GDP is disastrous. This means that something isn't right and we will change the criteria," the Finance Minister told reporters.

MIA file photo and screenshot