Skopje, 8 July 2023 (MIA) – Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi said that all stakeholders in society should be involved in reducing and suppressing the grey economy. According to him, as long as we think it is possible without issuing fiscal receipts, we contribute to the grey economy that we have been facing for 32 years.

He said that the situation is improving by undertaking certain steps, but we are still far from what should be done.

“I will just remind you that with the "My VAT" program, in which we have over 550,000 users, it was essentially promoting a way of suppressing the grey economy by motivating people to scan their fiscal receipts or shop where fiscal receipts are issued. As long as we think it is possible without issuing fiscal receipts, we contribute to grey economy. And that's why I say - yes, here is the proposal of the Economic Chamber, it is always acceptable, we need to sit down and really see how ready we are to combat grey economy, not only as a central government or a local government, but as a society,” Bytyqi told reporters while overseeing the construction works of bridge at Dragor river in Bitola.

Regarding the request of the association of utility companies to forgive the debts of these companies, Bytyqi said that the problem should be solved by the municipalities. However, he added, the central government is here to respond appropriately if public services for citizens are called into question.

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia