In The budget for 2021 is realized realization of total revenues by 15,3 percent more compared to 2020, while capital expenditures increased by 45,2 percent compared to 2020. Exceeding the plan was registered in the revenues from taxes and contributions by two percent, while the deficit was realized in the amount of 38,8 billion denars or 5,4 percent of GDP, which is lower than the projected for 2021 of 6,5 percent of GDP.
“We sent a year that ended with positive developments in the economy, although the impact of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the pressure on world stock markets that was felt in our economy, as well as the energy crisis were still present,” he said. finance Fatmir Besimi.
According to him, the measures and the overall implemented policies contributed to 2021 to end with economic growth of 4,1 percent, according to the projection for GDP growth, but also with the possibility to overcome.
– The economy in the first nine months of 2021 reached growth of 4,6 percent. Industrial production in November grew by 4,7 percent, exports in January-October increased by 22,8 percent, final consumption growth of 4,5 percent, gross investment grew by 3,4 percent in the first nine months , unemployment fell to an all-time low of 15,7 percent, while the average net wage paid in October rose 4,5 percent from October the previous year. These movements were reflected in the successful realization of the projected revenues in the budget, so that in 2021 we have an oversupply in the realization of tax revenues and contributions which as of December 31 reached a level of 102 percent of what was planned in the June 2021 budget, when they were revised. upwards in relation to the initial Budget, by five percent tax revenues, and by 1,3 percent contributions, Besimi points out.
The Minister adds that the revenues from taxes and contributions in 2021 have a realization of 196.309 million denars, which is an increase of 13,2 percent compared to 2020.
– In terms of tax revenues, the largest increase is in VAT of 7,3 percent or realization was achieved at a level of 107,3 percent, ie on this basis in the budget are transferred 58.194 million denars. Denar 20.552 million was collected from the personal income tax and it was realized with 98,86 percent of the planned. VAT has 24,1 percent more realized assets compared to 2020, while personal income tax has an increase of 10,3 percent, says Besimi.
The total expenditures were realized at the level of 257.353 million denars or 95,87 percent of the planned and increased by 5,7 percent compared to 2020. In the capital investments in 2021, there is a higher realization by 45,2 percent, ie, in 2021 the realization of the capital investments is at the level of 23,4 billion denars, which is a realization of 79 percent in relation to the planned funds. It is significant, adds Besimi, that the realized investments in 2021 are at the highest level in absolute amount.
– This gives optimism for realization of large capital projects planned in the Plan for accelerated economic growth 2022-2026, but also realization of planned capital investments in 2022 which are at a historically highest level so far with a share of 14 percent in total expenditures, underlines the Minister.
Capital expenditures this year are projected at 38,2 billion denars and are 28,3 percent more compared to 2021.
– Major public investment projects in the areas of road and railway infrastructure, digitalization, energy, as well as green development are envisaged. Among the more significant projects are the construction of the Corridor 8 highway, construction and rehabilitation of the railway infrastructure from Corridors 8 and 10, gas pipeline infrastructure on the main sections Skopje – Tetovo, Gostivar – Kicevo, Sveti Nikole – Veles, as well as interconnection gas pipeline with Greece and others. . In 2022, the commitment remains to take care of the protection of citizens’ health, economic recovery and acceleration of growth and increase of investments in simultaneous fiscal consolidation, uninterrupted financing of basic state functions, as well as support of judicial reform processes and Euro-Atlantic integration. Besimi.
All policies this year, he stressed, will be aimed at achieving a rate of GDP that will exceed the level before the quid crisis.
– GDP growth is projected at 4,6 percent, driven by growth in gross investment of 8,5 percent, increased export activity by 8,1 percent, increased consumption and employment by 3,1 percent, which will lead until the full recovery of the economy and the beginning of a period of accelerated growth of over five percent per year, said the Minister of Finance.
Source: MIA
