Skopje, 9 June 2023 (MIA) – The chairman and members of Parliament’s Finances and Budget Committee held a working meeting Friday with representatives of the Mission of the International Monetary Fund, Jacques Miniane, Thomas Gade and Faton Sulejmani. In a press release, Parliament said the meeting focused on tax reforms, adoption of the Law on Solidarity Tax, inflation, energy and wages in the public sector.

According to the head of the delegation of the IMF Mission, Jacques Miniane, the process of tax reforms should begin as soon as possible. Additionally, he called for a careful approach in increasing public sector wages, considering the capabilities of the budget, and that the increase might affect inflation. According to the IMF representatives, the reforms to be implemented in the tax and energy system aren’t easy, and if it is necessary the IMF will aid their implementation.

The Committee’s chairman, Bojan Stojanoski, said the IMF is an important partner of North Macedonia in dealing with the economic crisis and the implementation of good economic and fiscal policies and reforms that enable economic growth, improvement in the citizens’ quality of life and the conditions for the development of business.

“The state is facing challenges in energy, issues with increased inflation and indebtedness. The legislation which will launch the reforms in the tax system will be adopted as soon as possible, following consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the adoption of constructive remarks for their improvement. In order to implement quality tax reforms, a public debate will be held which will be attended by representatives of all affected parties,” said the press release.

Regarding wage raises in the public sector, Stojanoski said the country aspires to join the EU, and as such it needs to have an administration that would be motivated to implement the necessary reforms for EU accession. 

At the meeting, the Committee’s chairman, Bojan Stojanoski, voiced his gratitude for the meeting and underscored its importance considering the economic situation of the country, and the increased inflation and indebtedness.

Photo: Parliament of North Macedonia