Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met Monday with Vice President of World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Anna Bjerde, ahead of the start of the international conference Skopje Economic and Finance Forum (SEFF), organized by the Ministry of Finance under the theme “Sustaining growth in times of uncertainty and beyond,” transmits MIA.
Talks focused on energy and agriculture as key sectors in times of a global energy crisis, the Government said in a press release. In addition, PM Kovachevski mentioned key economic data on macroeconomic movements, measures taken to mitigate the consequences of the energy crisis, investments in green economy and sustainable development, as well as projects within the four-year World Bank Partnership Framework 2019-2023.
Kovachevski stressed the importance of the cooperation with the World Bank, as well as projects implemented in terms of energy efficiency in the public sector and promoting education, which are part of the four-year partnership framework with the World Bank, in the total amount of USD 420 million.
The goal is towards creating a competitive economy, inclusive and sustainable growth.
“Prime Minister Kovachevski highlighted that the Government in the medium-term remains committed to structural reforms, accelerated economic growth and improving the citizens’ living standard. There’s no doubt that the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine affect projections, which have been revised following a downward trend in global projections. In addition, the Accelerated Economic Growth Plan established last year and adopted by the Government is a good roadmap for achieving our medium-term goals, and it is positively assessed by the World Bank Group, reads the press release. Kovachevski and Bjerde also discussed the importance of implementation of the green agenda, digitization, innovation and technology, development of human capital, improving infrastructure as priorities set by the Government and incorporated in the Accelerated Economic Growth Plan. Bjerde pointed out that the World Bank remains actively involved in the implementation of activities in North Macedonia, which are defined within the current Partnership Framework, and continues with detailed analysis by sector which will be reflected in the new country report and will provide focused areas of cooperation, the press release adds.
