Skopje, 14 July 2025 (MIA) - In one year, through hard work and vision, we are getting the country back on its feet, part by part, institution by institution, system by system. The citizens recognize the new approach. They know we aren’t promising miracles, that we are working hard every day to build a system that doesn’t depend on partisan affiliation, but on justice, accountability and equality, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in his address Monday at an event presenting the work of the Customs Administration over the past year.

“Revenue of over EUR 2 billion has been collected, which is EUR 105 million more than during the same period in the past. This is no coincidence, it is the result of principled work, of managing the institution without compromises, of the fight against crime and corruption, and of a clear political commitment for the money to go to the citizens and not into someone’s pockets. We know what these figures shared by the head of the Customs Administration mean – more money for pensions, wages, hospitals, roads, schools... These funds used to end up in the informal economy, and today, they are returning to the people,” Mickoski stressed.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Administration has submitted 181 criminal complaints to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption, which, he said, “is 4.5 times more than the previous year”.

“This is a sign that the institutions are working, it is proof that the country is waking up and the system is finally starting to work. We are laying the foundations for change,” Mickoski said.

At the event, Customs Administration head Boban Nikolovski presented the results of the Administration’s work over the past year, assessing them as “historic”.

“Revenue has grown across all categories. Revenue from customs duties has grown by 15.2 percent, from excise taxes by 7.1 percent, from motor vehicle tax by 17 percent. This represents a substantial amount flowing into the budget for more capital investments, which have stimulated economic activity and are leading to higher economic growth,” Nikolovski said.

The event was attended by Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, National Bank Governor Trajko Slaveski, other officials and representatives of the business community. 

Photo: MIA