Skopje, 26 November 2024 (MIA) - The amendment debate on 2025 draft-budget continues Tuesday in the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee.

Budget revenues are projected at Mden 358 billion (EUR 5.81 billion), whereas expenditures stand at Mden 400 billion (EUR 6.49 billion). The budget deficit is projected to total Mden 41.35 billion, or 4 percent of the planned GDP. Inflation is expected to decrease to 2.2 percent as a result of the stabilization of prices for basic food products and energy on the international market, the slowdown of foreign effective inflation, and more moderate pressure from core inflation. Exports are projected to rise by 4.2 percent, and imports by 4.4 percent, due to expectations for the gradual stabilization of the international environment and a boost in external demand.

Amendment debate started on November 19 and is expected to wrap up by November 30. A total of 307 amendments have been submitted, including 204 from the opposition SDSM.

Once the amendment debate is concluded, the draft-budget will be submitted back to the government for final approval, and in line with legal deadlines, it should be voted on in Parliament before the end of the year.

Photo: MIA archive