Skopje, 31 May 2022 (MIA) – In the period of interruption of normalcy, the resilience depends on our adaptability and decisiveness. It is best to build model of economic growth that will be resilient to crisis, President Stevo Pendarovski said Tuesday addressing the Skopje Economic and Financial Forum (SEFF). According to Pendarovski, our response should respond to domestic specificity. If we want sustainable development, first priority is to rethink the model of economic development. If our ambition is not only to survive, but also to thrive. Maybe short-term some of the policies will be hurtful but on a long term, they are very useful, he added. Referring to the current situation in the world and the challenges of the past two decades, Pendarovski stressed that due to rapid change, many reports and strategies become obsolete before being published. “The key issue is whether we will have a period of normalization and stability or we will have to learn how to function in constant uncertainty due to the crisis. Taking into consideration, the last 20 years the economic, environmental, social and security crisis faced the humanity have increased in number and intensity. At the same time, global mega trends such as digitalization, climate change and growing inequality have drastically changed the functioning of the industry and the labour market,” President Pendarovski said. The pandemic, Pendarovski said, shortened the time to implement the policies connected to the growth objectives. “We have slowed economic growth, increase of inflation, of prices and greater public debt, and deepening of inequality between the states and within the states. The Russia – Ukraine crisis interrupted vital supply chains caused the energy crisis and interruption of food chain,” he added. He also briefed that development framework “MKD2030” will be promoted next month, which was adopted as joint platforms for the future of the country. This strategic document, Pendarovski said, is based on four developmental priorities: accelerating economic growth by at least 5 percent yearly, protection of the environment and redefining energy policy, comprehensive digitalisation that will open investments and new jobs, as well as education and inclusive development. “These four priorities will have to be implemented at the same time and contribution should be by all segments of society from the state institutions, political factors, private and civil sector and the academia,” Pendarovski said. In addition, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi also addressed the event who said that in period of crisis, the economic diplomacy can greatly contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and European perspectives. The agenda on day two of the international conference includes debates on “Energy and Green Transition”, “Digitalization, Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Trade”, “Financial Innovations and Investments Under Uncertainty”, “New Challenges to Good Governance”, and “Human Capital in the Twenty-First Century.” https://youtu.be/KL8AMqSo6ko?t=4