Skopje, 17 November 2021 (MIA) – The Economy Ministry’s 2022 budget is estimated at 1.24 billion denars, including 151 million for salaries, 733 million for capital expenditures, which is four-fold increase compared to 2021, and 214 million for subsidies. Under the proposed next year’s budget, support is provided for small and medium-sized enterprises, to improve the business climate and increase competitiveness, support for energy development as well as assistance to the tourism and hospitality industry, rise in energy investments, increase in the use of natural gas and use of solar energy in households, said Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi on Wednesday. The Macedonian economy is in an upward trend since the second quarter of this year, according to him. “2022 will be the year of economic recovery and rising growth through investments. All programs and measures of the Economy Ministry are planned to be implemented and financing has been set aside. Under the program for promotion of renewable energy sources and boost of energy efficiency in 2022, subsides are envisaged totaling to 80 million denars, an increase by 30 million compared to 2021,” Bekteshi told a news conference. Next year, he said, the Economy Ministry will focus on supporting domestic tourism. According to the Minister, 38.5 million denars is set aside for tourism development and promotion next year. “We continue to implement measures supporting domestic tourism for low-income workers, subsides for rural development, support to active tourism and subsides for digitization of the tourism sector,” he said. Bekteshi added that in 2022 the budget for subsides for private companies will be increased three-fold – 20.8 million denars including nine million for implementation of smart specialization, a commitment under the European Commission report. “In 2022, the budget to support entrepreneurship has been increased envisaging 62.3 million. 50 million was set aside in 2020,” Minister Bekteshi told the news conference. To increase road safety and reduce air pollution, being one of the top priorities, the Ministry next year will also subsidy installation of alternative fuel devices in vehicles. Eleven million denars have been provided to support the measure, said Bekteshi. Regarding gasification, funding for capital investments has been increased. “The Ministry’s 2022 envisages 625 million denars for construction of gas pipeline,” he added.