Skopje, 4 March 2025 (MIA) – The first tranche of around €11 million from the Hungarian loan, designated for business support, will be disbursed on Thursday, meaning the funds will be transferred from the central budget to the Development Bank, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska announced on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media in Budapest, she stated that company demand for these funds significantly exceeds the available loan amount and that the funds are accessible to all businesses.

“Under the conditions established by the Government, all companies are eligible to access these funds, except those involved in the production of alcoholic beverages, tobacco manufacturing or trade, and activities related to gambling, casinos, and similar enterprises,” she said. She also mentioned that while there is no direct involvement in banks' decisions on which projects to support, banks may reassess applications if necessary and take company financial statements into account.

She also referred to the segment of the loan taken from Hungary to support municipalities and expressed her satisfaction with how those funds were used.

“I expect excellent implementation, considering that it is an election year and that every mayor, regardless of political party, will want to accelerate the realization of the projects they will apply for,” she said.

Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, along with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and other government ministers, participated in the Macedonian-Hungarian Summit in Budapest on Monday and Tuesday.

Photo: Ministry of Finance