Skopje, 18 October 2023 (MIA) - After successfully issuing the first popular and green bonds, the Ministry of Finance issued Wednesday a Prospectus for the second popular bond in the amount of Mden 600 million (EUR 10 million).

From today until November 6, citizens will have the opportunity to invest in popular bonds at a 5-percent interest rate. The minimum amount that citizens can invest in this innovative financial instrument is Mden 10,000. The two-year maturity period will give bondholders a 10-percent return.

"Citizens expressed interest in this instrument, so we expect the process to be a success. As it was announced, this instrument will be available on the market in continuity and we will issue new popular bonds in the future as well," said Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi.

Citizens showed twice as much interest during the first auction of the bonds, compared to what was published in the prospectus. Development bonds in the amount of Mden 1,448,030,000 were registered.

This shows that the market needs a new and creative instrument that will not only benefit citizens, but also the development of projects.

"The popular bond is a safe and risk-free instrument, which is available to citizens in a very simple way. Those interested can contact the commercial banks and submit a request to participate in the auction. The auction will be held on November 6-7, 2023," the Ministry of Finance informed in a press release.

In addition to the popular bond, the green bond was also introduced as a new product on the market while garnering great interest from investors.

The poplar and green bonds, as well as the project and development bonds that will be introduced in the upcoming period, are part of the Securities Market Development Strategy, the Public Debt Management Strategy and the Plan for Accelerated Economic Growth.

Photo: MIA archive