Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski asked by reporters regarding the latest information and figures on industrial turnover from the State Statistics Office (SSO), stated that the industrial turnover both at home and abroad was solid.
“Taking into account the situation in the world and the situation in Europe, I believe that the growth in industrial turnover both at home and abroad is solid. And we are the only country that has such growth in the region, no other country has such growth. Often when we comment, we have to make comparisons. And now this Government has had an average growth of gross domestic product of 3.5% for six consecutive quarters, but in conditions when growth in the EU is below 1%. Someone will say, there were periods when growth was 5.5% and 6%, but yes, then growth within the European Union was identical, 5.5% and 6%. Now we have more than three and a half times higher growth than the average in the EU, six quarters, I’m talking in a row. And that is an inspiration for us that we are doing things well. Now I’m not saying excellent, it can always be better, but for now, taking into account the global situation, I think that things are being done well. That challenge is the industry.
In industrial production, we have two challenges, i.e. the weak activity of some of the mines. Although, there are also such structures in society that would like all the mines to close and those that meet all environmental standards and thus bankrupt the state in order to receive more grants. There are also such. Here I see a reaction right after the strategic antimony mine, which is globally competitive, some such people appeared, immediately criticizing in order to receive more grants. And to snitch on the state and this government, but this time I think they will run into a hard nut. We will not retreat because that is the future, if we want to have a country – that is the future.
And what is important to me, in addition to the mines, is to stabilize the part of electricity production. And “I think it’s already within some stable trends. So overall, taking into account the situation, I would say that we’re on the right path,” PM Mickoski told reporters.
