Skopje, 18 July 2024 (MIA) – Urban development of the municipalities and to improve the local economy is one of the priorities of the government, said Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski in a meeting with Xiaoqing Yu, the World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans, and Massimiliano Paolucci, the World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and Macedonia.

Nikoloski said that the government through the Transport Ministry kick-starts the biggest investment cycle in the development and modernization of the entire infrastructure, the Ministry said. 

According to the Minister, investments in capital goods result in additional benefit for the citizens all the while stimulating the country’s economy. 

“Talks in the meeting with the World Bank officials also focused on the implementation of infrastructural projects, financed by the World Bank. The Minister underlined the project on facilitation of transport and trade for the Western Balkans, through which the reconstruction of the border crossings Kjafasan and Deve Bair will start soon. Also, the cooperation with the World Bank includes a project on the introduction of one-stop-shop system, aimed at improving the efficiency of all border crossings,” said the press release. 

Nikoloski thanked for the cooperation so far, namely for the construction and reconstruction of local streets and roads, seen as a key project for urban development of the municipalities and to improve road safety. 

“The World Bank has been a partner of Macedonia for years. We have excellent cooperation especially in projects related to the department I’m helming. In the coming period we will implement key infrastructural projects presented in the government program. In areas where the interest is mutual, we could deepen the cooperation with the Bank. Our goal is to provide the citizens with quality and secure infrastructure because the money they are allocating in the budget have to be reasonably invested in sound projects,” Minister Nikoloski stated after the meeting. 

Photo: Transport Ministry