Skopje, 7 September 2021 (MIA) – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev held a meeting on Tuesday with World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans Region Linda Van Gelder and World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia Massimiliano Paolucci during which they discussed that partnership between North Macedonia and the World Bank will focus in the upcoming period on digitalization, as a systematic measure against corruption, as well as on support for programs aimed at fighting the grey economy. Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi and Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi also attended the meeting, the government said in a press release. Interlocutors also talked about cooperation for strengthening the public health system in the post-COVID period, as well as support from the World Bank for establishing a system for integrated management of public finance. “In line with the Word Bank partnership strategy, support from this international institution is focused on projects for development of skills and opportunities, especially among vulnerable categories, as well as projects for improving municipal services, infrastructure projects and those aiming to promote social services, primary education, energy efficiency, etc.,” the press release read. The PM also underlined at the meeting fruitful cooperation in many areas between North Macedonia and the World Bank in the past few years, which, he added, has been crucial for the reformation and modernization of North Macedonia’s economy.