6 September 2021 Skopje – Learning from the past, acting in the present and preparing for the future, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi in the opening remarks of the inaugural annual conference “Economic Recovery and Growth beyond COVID” within the Skopje Economic and Finance Forum. Skopje – Vaccination not only saves lives but is the only option for economic recovery, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Anna Bjerde, told conference “Economic Recovery and Growth beyond COVID”, held in Skopje on September 6-7. Skopje – While large companies are able to maneuver through bureaucracies and make significant investments in North Macedonia, smaller companies find this business environment difficult. So ensuring that procurement processes are transparent and establishing a professional bureaucracy that’s able to work with companies on routine issues will improve the overall business environment and attract additional foreign direct investments not only to North Macedonia, but throughout the region, US Ambassador to North Macedonia Kate Byrnes told a panel on Monday during the “Economic Recovery and Growth beyond COVID” conference. Skopje – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, alongside Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi and Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi, met with a delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Monday, which is participating on Monday and Tuesday in the international conference on “Economic Recovery and Growth Beyond Covid”, organized by the Ministry of Finance. Skopje – First Deputy PM and Minister for Political System and Community Relations, Artan Grubi, told Monday an international conference in Skopje that corruption poses the biggest threat to the economy, not the coronavirus pandemic. The basis of economic recovery, Grubi added, is the battle against organized crime and corruption. Skopje – The Ministry of Labor and Social police said Independence Day – September 8 (Wednesday) is non-working for all citizens of North Macedonia, in accordance with the Law on Holidays. Skopje – Honoring 30 years of the country’s independence, the Post of North Macedonia released a postage stamp that was promoted on Monday. Skopje – A total of 94,975 persons, 28,594 households and 37,544 apartments were counted on the first day of the Population and Housing Census, the State Statistical Office said on Monday. Skopje – First Deputy PM and Minister of Political System and Community Relations Artan Grubi met with Italian Ambassador Andrea Silvestri on Monday, discussing Italy’s support to North Macedonia’s European perspectives. Skopje – Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi met Monday with a delegation of the Lithuanian Parliament led by Audronius Ažubalis, head of the delegation and deputy head of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Western Balkan Countries. Skopje – Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi announced on Monday a plan for financial recovery and growth acceleration, set to fund COVID-19 economic recovery and support growth acceleration, while at the same time ensuring fiscal stability by mobilizing private sector capital in addition to budget funds and loans. Skopje – As of Monday midnight, prices of gasoline and diesel fuels increase by Mden 0.5-1 per liter, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said. Tetovo – We had an issue with the Internet connection, not with the census application service itself but the entire Internet network in the country. To my knowledge, Telekom is working on the issue, and I believe it will soon be removed so that the process continues without a problem, State Statistical Office (SSO) director Apostol Simovski said Monday. Athens – According to the Greek government spokesperson Ioannis Ikonomou, the three memoranda with North Macedonia arising from the Prespa Agreement, which have been waiting for ratification in the Greek Parliament for a year, will be ratified “at an appropriate time in the coming period”, MIA reports from Athens. Nicosia – North Macedonia is no longer listed in any of the categories of countries whose nationals are allowed to travel to Cyprus, according to the new decision made by the Health Ministry of Cyprus, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports on Monday. Tehran – Iran will “definitely” continue talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the country’s nuclear deal, Tehran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.