Skopje, 3 September 2021 (MIA) – National Bank Governor Anita Angelovska-Bezhoska met on Friday with the US Embassy's new Chief of the Political and Economic Affairs Section, Christopher Zimmer, and told him that the successful work of the National Bank is key for the Macedonian economy. This, the National Bank said in a press release, has been proven throughout the years, and especially since the start of the pandemic, when the National Bank supported the economy in managing the effects of the crisis. Price and financial stability, it added, are preconditions for economic development and provide space for other policy makers to carry out structural reforms that will support stable and long-term economic growth. Focus was put at the meeting on the National Bank’s insight into the economic situation, especially in the finance sector, as well as expectations for the upcoming period in accordance with projections. It was once again confirmed that support for the Macedonian economy will continue, emphasizing the great importance of the cooperation and communication with the National Bank, whose forecasts are crucial for the perceptions of the international public, including investors. Interlocutors also discussed at the meeting the latest signs of financial stability, especially the banking system, and pointed out that non-performing loans have been low during the coronavirus crisis, resulting in supervisory focus being put on monitoring credit risk. Moreover, they stressed the importance of banks' careful conduct in further building capital potential, pointing out the National Bank's contribution as regulator. Angelovska-Bezhoska and Zimmer also discussed macroeconomic projections, as well as economic forecasts for the upcoming period, crucial for US companies' insight into the Macedonian market. In that regard, they expressed expectations that economic growth will go back to pre-crisis levels next year, depending on how the pandemic unfolds. Participants also stressed at the meeting the importance of the economy’s readiness for digitalization and accepting new technologies. In this context, they underlined readiness to support the fintech sector as especially important, with the National Bank preparing a national strategy on the topic, which is set to attract international interest upon being presented to fintech companies interested in entering the Macedonian market, and especially after the adoption of a new Law on Payment Services and Payment Systems. Interlocutors said on Friday that international financial institutions have given high marks to the successful work of the National Bank, making its observations, assessments and decisions crucial for the views and assessments of the diplomatic corps. dk/mm