Skopje, 25 December 2024 (MIA) - Recommendations are one thing, while state actions are another, said Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Cvetan Tripunovski on Wednesday regarding the World Bank suggestion on cancelling tobaco subsidies.

Minister Tripunovski said tobacco growing is an important sector for the country, whereas the tobacco, which is of high quality, is in demand abroad.

"The Government gives tobacco production high priority and we have shown this in the discussions with all companies and associations. This year, we had the highest tobacco price on record, with each producer getting about Mden 500 (EUR 8) for a kilogram of tobacco. We are sending a signal that we want to maintain production in the country," Tripunovski told reporters.

In its latest report "North Macedonia Public Finance Review: Ensuring Stability and Boosting Resilience", the World Bank has recommended that the country should eliminate direct payments to support tobacco production.

Photo: MIA