Macedonia is progressing quite well in the commitment to reform.
It has some growth and deals with some of the most important reforms in terms of doing business. However, due to the general situation in Europe is not very favorable, the effect of the implementation of these reforms in many respects was reduced and therefore the public believes that these reforms have not led to levels of growth and employment that would like to see in Macedonia. We see that with the economic growth not always there is an improvement in the employment, which remains a major issue, said Ellen Goldstin, World Bank Director for the Western Balkans after the meetings that Vice-Prime Minister, Zoran Stavreski and the Governor of the National Bank, Dimitar Bogov at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, informs “Dnevnik”.
After the meetings, Stavrevski and Bogov said that the Washington’s assessment is that Europe is finally coming out of the economic problems and that it will have a positive effect on Macedonia.
“It is encouraging for Macedonia that the assessments of the IMF and World Bank for our country are favorable compared to any other country in the region. It is for welcome what has been achieved as economic growth, as is the decline in unemployment, of course, with the intention to continue the decline. If we want this to happen it is necessary to continue our efforts to attract foreign investment, but also to facilitate the implementation of projects in infrastructure and improving the workforce. We discussed for exactly the same projects with the World Bank and we got promise on their part to provide financial support under the strategy prepared by the World Bank for Macedonia, for the next three years. There will be a project for funding the reconstruction of roads and road sections extending in Macedonia and for improving the human skills of the unemployed in order for easier finding their way for the subsequent employment and for support for innovation fund,” said Stavreski.
The governor Bogov said that there is encouragement that finally the European economy out of recession, although there is still need for caution.
“And here are dominating tones, there is more optimism, but with caution. All that should favorably affect the sustainable growth of the Macedonian economy,” said the Governor Bogov.
On the briefing for Eastern and Central Europe, Goldstin reiterated that the Balkans came to a modest improvement in economic growth. She welcomed Serbia’s plans to implement austerity measures, reform of its public companies, saying that other countries in the region already conducted these difficult reforms, and that they are necessary for Serbia to reach growth. For Croatia, the representatives of the World Bank reminded the country is for a fifth year in recession and that the entry into the European Union, even though provides opportunities to use the open European market, means new responsibilities for the latest State, to fund joint European projects and that are with relatively high amount. For Bosnia, Goldstin said that the political blockade of the country does not allow noticing economic growth and progress. From the region, the representatives of the World Bank pointed to Turkey as an example of a country that has successfully implemented structural reforms necessary for the economic growth.
