The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic issues, coordination of economic departments and investments, Fatmir Bitici, together with the Minister of Local Self-Government, Risto Penov, and the Director of the Regional Development Bureau, Ramiz Redzepi, held a joint press conference on the occasion of the new agreements under the Law on Equal regional development (RDR).

Vice Prime Minister Bitici emphasized that sustainable and inclusive balanced regional development is of vital importance for the state, that it lays the foundation for the prosperity of society, encourages economic stability and reduces socio-economic differences.

„That is why the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia at the 199th Session, which was held on November 14 of this year, adopted four Decisions with which 800 million denars or about 13 million euros are provided from the Budget Program for Balanced Regional Development for 129 projects with which we support the inclusive regional development of creating opportunities to improve the quality of life of citizens in urban and rural areas in all 80 municipalities, in the eight planning regions. The principle of allocation of budget money is inversely proportional to development, that is, the least developed municipalities and regions receive the most financial resources“, said Prime Minister Bitiqi.

Vice Prime Minister Bitici indicated that 440 million denars or over 7 million euros have been approved by the Government for 29 regional projects that will be implemented through the eight planning regions, while 360 million denars or about 6 million euros are intended for 100 local projects that will be implemented through the units of the local self-government, and they cover all 80 municipalities, emphasizing that in this way the differences in the opportunities for economic and social development of the citizens between urban and rural areas are reduced.

„Focusing on the development of villages throughout the country, with the Decision on the allocation of funds for financing projects for the development of villages, the Government approved 120 million denars or two million euros for 39 projects, which will accelerate rural development and contribute to bridging the gap between towns and villages. We are talking about projects that are mainly aimed at the development of rural local communal infrastructure, local roads, infrastructure for water services, increasing waste management capacities in villages across the country, procurement of machinery for local public enterprises, regulation of riverbeds and atmospheric sewers, as well as for other infrastructure projects that will improve the quality of life for our citizens living in the villages“, said Vice Prime Minister Bitici.

At the press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Bitici informed that the Government's inclusive approach in encouraging balanced regional development can be seen through the Decision on the allocation of funds for the financing of projects for the development of urban areas, which approved 2 million euros for the financing of 29 projects. For the development of urban areas in all eight planning regions.

„The government made a Decision on the allocation of funds for financing projects for the development of areas with specific development needs, 120 million denars, with which municipalities and non - governmental organizations from the whole country will implement 32 projects that will be focused on meeting the specific development needs of local communities. and which refer, among other things, to the protection and development of cultural landmarks, the development of content for young people, a feasibility study of energy efficiency in kindergartens and environmental protection projects“, said Vice Prime Minister Bitici.

„We close the year with the launch of 129 new projects worth 13 million euros in the municipalities in all eight planning regions in the country, which are financed by the State Budget through the Program for Balanced Regional Development. In addition to these projects, through the budget Program for reducing disparities in planning regions and between municipalities, this year we financed an additional 6 projects worth 50 million denars. In the municipalities, the Government also co-finances projects for cross - border cooperation, which also have an impact on development, and other competent ministries, through their programs, finance very important projects for the construction of road infrastructure, water pipes, schools, with which this Government managed to provide over 1% of the Gross Domestic Product, funds that it directs to reduce differences and for faster development of municipalities and planning regions“, said the Minister of Local Self-Government Risto Penov, who emphasized that the Government with its policies takes into account the balanced development and invests in all municipalities, taking into account the degree of development and solving priority issues for citizens.

The Minister of Local Self-Government said that the Government, in cooperation with the donor community, has provide competent ministries, through their programs, finance many important projects for the construction of road infrastructure, water pipes, schools, with which this Government managed to secure over 1% of the Gross Domestic Product, funds that it directs to reduce differences and for faster development of municipalities and of the planning regions", said the Minister of Local Self - Government Risto Penov, who emphasized that the Government with its policies takes into account the balanced development and invests in all municipalities, taking into account the degree of development and solving the priority issues for the citizens.

The Minister of Local Self-Government said that the Government, in cooperation with the donor community, has provided additional expert and financial support for the municipalities for the preparation of technical documentation for large projects, in order for the municipalities to be able to secure financial resources from the state budget as well as from the European Union. From the World Bank and other financial institutions for the realization of capital infrastructure projects. We are already working with the first ten municipalities, and there will be two more public calls to which other municipalities can also apply.

The director of the Regional Development Bureau, Ramiz Redzepi, emphasized that the main goal is to support the development of economic, social and infrastructure conditions in all municipalities, providing all citizens with the opportunity for progress and development in all regions of the country.

„As an institution, we have close cooperation with the Ministry of Local Self-Government and other line ministries, we have great support from the Cabinet of the Vice Prime Minister Bitiki, in order to integrate development strategies in the broad context of state policy. Through our activities, we help regions and municipalities to acquire the necessary resources and investments so that they can progress and overcome the challenges that are in front of them. Today we signed contracts worth 800 million denars.

As an institution, we have recorded significant successes in supporting infrastructure and development projects in the eight planning regions, which directly affects the improvement of the lives and conditions of our citizens. In the future, we plan to continue strengthening cooperation with local authorities, as well as with all relevant institutions and organizations in order to increase the impact of development activities on improving life in all regions and reducing the differences between them, between regions and municipalities“, he said. Director Redzepi emphasized that the Bureau's strategy will continue to be adapted according to changes in the needs and challenges of different regions.