Skopje, 7 March 2025 (MIA) - The results of our work are becoming visible, the Macedonian economy is no longer in stagnation, said Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska on Friday.

"The State Statistical Office has released data on the unemployment rate in the country in the fourth quarter of 2024, which stands at 11.9 percent, the lowest rate on record, posting a 0.4-percent drop compared to the previous quarter and a 0.7-percent decrease compared to 2023. In parallel, the employment rate has risen to 46.2 percent. There are also positive results in the industrial production, which increased by 1.4 percent in January," Minister Dimitrieska-Kochoska told a press conference.

According to her, the economy was in stagnation when the Government took office, requiring urgent short-term measures that could enable its recovery and focus on policies that would lead to average growth rates of five percent.

"The key aspect to move this process forward is to create prerequisites for a favorable business environment that impacts the realization of investments, opening of new jobs and higher standard of life. In addition, this is crucial for the realization of foreign direct investments, which have exceeded EUR 1 billion in 2024," noted Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

She added that the Government is focusing on the economy and investments as foundations for true progress.

"We have launched the payment of the Hungarian loan funds for domestic companies, which will stimulate investments of about EUR 300 million, open additional jobs for our people and youth," said Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

Another significant aspect is the creation of preconditions for cuts in company expenses after the country joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).

"Our citizens working in a SEPA member-state and sending money to Macedonia will pay fees of about three percent compared to the current seven percent, while savings of businesses will be even higher. In addition, payments between businesses will be completed within a day, in certain cases in minutes, thus facilitating the operations and competitiveness of Macedonian companies," said Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

The FinMin expects these tendencies to resume in the coming period, so that the country reaches the 3.7-percent projected growth rate for 2025.

"Nevertheless, we are considering all domestic and global challenges and the risk they pose for our economy. The concept has been set in place and we will invest all efforts to support the companies and the people's standard of life," underlined Dimitrieska-Kochoska.

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