Skopje, 26 July 2022 (MIA) – The Budget revision adopted by the Parliament considers the real economic situation, includes funds aimed to soften the crisis impact, maintain the growth dynamics and ensure mid-term fiscal sustainability while securing projected financing and seeking ways to do this in the most optimal way, says Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi. Minister Besimi told TV24 the revision ensures restructuring of the expenditure aspect and adjustment of the revenue side in order to meet the needs of the citizens and the economy. “The revision includes funds for higher pensions and minimum wage in the public sector, but also subsidies for the minimum wage in the private sector,” says Besimi. Regarding the anti-crisis measures, the FinMin points to a specific programme that includes EUR 76 million. “This is not the only pool, since EUR 100 million have also been secured from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the liquidity of Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM). We are also in talks for further EUR 100 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in favorable loans for business liquidity, energy efficiency and green transition investments,” notes Besimi. According to him, there are discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but also talks over other financing instruments on the domestic and international financial market. “Talks with the IMF usually take months but we are also working on other instruments, such as the Eurobond. Our objective is to finalize the comprehensive financing at an average interest rate below the one on the international financial markets, which stands at over seven percent. Therefore, we are not opting only for one instrument but more, in order to lessen the burden on the budget,” says Besimi. An additional signal for investors, he adds, is the start of the process of opening the EU accession negotiations. Besimi says the energy crisis should be taken seriously, referring to recommendations given to national and local institutions over savings, while also urging citizens to save as well. “This is not to frighten citizens but for them to realize the gravity of the situation,” underlines Besimi.