We reduced VAT the most in the entire region, and then we also intervened with the excise tax, which had a positive impact considering that overall inflation in March this year compared to March last year was only 0.7%. There are certain speculative behaviors in the market with prices and on Tuesday at the regular session of the Government we will see the reports of the Ministry of Economy and on that basis we will take measures, Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski told Kanal 5 TV in an interview.
“What we observe is certain speculative behaviors, because no one can convince me that suddenly prices are increasing day by day. We had such, for example, in bitumen. That is most characteristic where bitumen increased by almost 100% in just one month. And that is why we have tasked the Ministry of Economy together with the State Market Inspectorate to make a comparison of prices and compare them quantitatively and on Tuesday at the regular session of the Government we will see the reports and on that basis we will take measures. We may have to go along with this policy of facilitations and with a restrictive policy, that is, those who abuse the situation should be punished” noted Deputy PM Nikoloski.
He compared fuel prices in the region and added that Macedonia has the lowest fuel prices after the Government’s interventions.
“In terms of prices that are related to the stock market, such as fuel and oil, we have absolutely taken measures, you know that we have the cheapest prices for super, unleaded and diesel in the entire region and in fact, just the fact that the consumption of these products has increased threefold by citizens who come from outside Macedonia, for example in the border areas with Greece, shows that what we are saying is indeed true and in fact the prices are the lowest,” Nikoloski added.
If the fuel crisis continues, the Deputy PM announced introduction of additional measures.
