Skopje, 24 December 2023 (MIA) – The new set of anti-crisis measures is a continuation of the assistance received by citizens and businesses during the Covid pandemic and the energy crisis, as well as a continuity of the overall policy led by the Government in the past almost seven years, in order to maintain the living standard, the liquidity of the companies and development of the economy, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told Civil in an interview.

The PM said the anti-crisis measures provide more to the citizens who need support the most.

“Over EUR 2 billion just in the past three years have been focused on the citizens and businesses, the state has never provided so much financial support in the past, it has never returned so much money to the citizens and businesses. Just the new, ninth set of anti-crisis measures is worth EUR 662 million, and includes 26 measures such as assistance for pupils, students, young people, pensioners, vulnerable categories, single parents, low income households, farmers, businesses,” said Kovachevski.

The PM said that the funds for some of the measures from the new set will start to be paid out towards the end of December.

In the interview, Kovachevski also noted that farmers will receive advance payment of subsidies for the first time. He highlighted the minimum wage, saying it is the highest it has ever been at EUR 328.

The Prime Minister said pensions are growing as well, stating that the average pension currently stands at Mden 20.100, which, he said, is Mden 6.400 higher than in 2016.

Photo: Government of North Macedonia