Skopje, 26 December 2025 (MIA) – The projected real growth of 3.8 percent for 2026 is realistically achievable. Tax revenues will be realized as planned, and digitalization is the key factor in significantly increasing the efficiency of public spending, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska said.

“The projected real economic growth for 2026 stands at 3.8 percent and is considered achievable. At the same time, global developments are being closely monitored and all risks are taken into account. Accordingly, the 2026 budget has been prepared not on the basis of an optimistic scenario, but in a very cautious, indeed conservative manner. There are no longer any reserve funds (buffers) in the budget for crisis situations, as the previous government exhausted all remaining resources without achieving fiscal consolidation, unlike neighboring countries. As a result, the projections are highly cautious. Nevertheless, the projected nominal GDP for this year is expected to exceed initial expectations, creating room for next year in terms of public debt and deficit ratios. Regarding tax revenues, they are expected to be realized in line with projections and without risk,” Dimitrieska-Kochoska said in an interview for the monthly magazine Economy and Business.

She stressed that there will be no changes to taxes, as this is a pledge from the pre-election program, but that all laws in the areas of taxation and customs will be reviewed in order to identify any inconsistencies.

“There will absolutely be no changes to taxes. This is something we promised in the pre-election program. I am always guided by the principle that the state should be paid exactly what it is entitled to, no more, but no less. That is precisely why we are reopening the laws, to further define the issues and avoid misunderstandings. I will give an example from the VAT Law. We began working on it more than a month ago. At my insistence, we started reviewing every article of the law and established that basic provisions written back in 2000 have not been amended, yet they have caused confusion all these years. For this reason, I have also involved experts, primarily from consulting companies, who on a daily basis face questions to which they cannot provide precise answers. All of this is being done, and will continue to be done, with the aim of having the best and most precise laws possible. In this way, the system will not be able to be circumvented, nor will individuals be able to justify themselves by pointing to ambiguities in the legislation. Regrettably, the tax laws, which represent a cornerstone of the state, have for years been subject only to cosmetic amendments. The time has now come for this to change. The priority must be to ensure full tax compliance before considering adjustments to tax rates,” Dimitrieska-Kochoska said, noting that digitalization is key to reducing inefficient budget spending.

In the interview, she also addresses the implementation of capital expenditures, VAT refunds to companies, the execution of reforms under the Reform Agenda, among other topics.

Photo: Ministry of Finance