Skopje, 22 October 2024 (MIA) – Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska is to take part in the 2024 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington from October 22 to 26.

During her stay, she is scheduled to meet with high-ranking officials from both international financial institutions, representatives from the U.S. Treasury, and will conduct bilateral meetings with her counterparts, as stated by the Ministry of Finance.

During the Annual Meetings, Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska will hold meetings with Alfred Kammer, the IMF Director for Europe; Paul Hilbers, the Executive Director of the IMF; Luc Dresse, the Alternate Executive Director; as well as Jeroen Kremers, who will soon assume the position of Executive Director, along with Marnix van Rij, the incoming Alternate Executive Director. Annette Jacqueline Kyobe, Head of the IMF Mission for North Macedonia, will also attend the meetings. The discussions will highlight the steps taken towards stabilizing public finances, as well as plans for fiscal consolidation and ensuring economic growth.

Discussions with senior representatives of the World Bank Group will focus on the continuation of the ongoing cooperation and support that the country has received over the past years. Meetings are planned with Antonella Bassani, World Bank Vice President for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, Eugene Rhuggenaath, WB Executive Director, and World Bank Director for the Western Balkans, Xiaoqing Yu.

During her stay, Dimitrieska-Kochoska is scheduled to meet with Alfonso García Mora is IFC's Vice President for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as representatives from the U.S. Treasury. These discussions aim to confirm the support provided to the Ministry of Finance in implementing its program priorities. The Minister will also meet with representatives of financial institutions that collaborate with the country on Eurobond issuance.

Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska’s visit to Washington will include a meeting with the Macedonian diaspora in the United States, providing an opportunity to engage in dialogue about their integration and activities in American society, along with the new government's policies aimed at reinforcing ties with Macedonian communities abroad.

At this year’s regular meetings, attended by the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the National Bank, Anita Angelovska-Bezhoska, the agenda will cover the global economic perspective, financial stability worldwide, promoting economic growth, the impact of climate change, and other economic challenges.

The annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank take place every October and offer a chance for dialogue on relevant global matters among finance ministers, governors, and representatives from the business community, civil society, academics, and others, reads the press release of the Ministry of Finance.

Photo: MIA archive