We are seeing a normal inflation rate considering the global crisis. The inflation is not at an alarming level that might prompt price caps. The situation is monitored and if needed, the Government will implement all legal options and solutions. It is normal to have a slight price increase of certain products but this is legitimate if economically justified, Macedonian Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor MarjanRisteski told reporters on Thursday.
As Risteski pointed out, over 30 teams from the State Market Inspectorate (SMI) are in the field, controlling the prices of importers, distributors, manufacturers and markets. Uneconomic and unmarket behavior and profiteering at the expense of citizens will not be allowed.
“We managed to calm inflation before the global economic crisis began and it was projected at 2.5 to 3 percent by the National Bank and the Government, but we will certainly have slightly higher inflation. The Government is ready to implement all legal possibilities and solutions in the future – whether it will be in terms of limiting prices or the possibility of reducing VAT on certain basic food products… They must be analytically and economically sound, because every political, ad-hoc solution, as they did before, causes other economic turbulences from which the country will have great difficulty recovering,” the Deputy Minister noted.
Risteski pointed out that the energy crisis affects the standard of living and inflation not only in Macedonia, but in the entire region, as well as worldwide.
