The budget for next year has been projected at 2.7 billion euros, and is identical to this year’s. However, next year the government plans to collect 2.4 billion euros, which is less than in 2012. The economic growth rate next year is expected to be moderate – 2 percent – and the budget deficit has been raised to 3.5 percent and will be covered with the announced loans from foreign commercial banks and by issuing multiple-year treasury bonds.

Prices will be at a stable level, the inflation rate is not going to surpass 3.5 percent, and the public debt will be kept at a low level, Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said, presenting the draft budget 2013.

“The revenues have been projected at a level slightly lower than the one in 2012, which is a prudent projection. We are going to monitor the situation in the European economy and if necessary make interventions,” Minister Stavreski said.