President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova received Carole Megevand, World Bank Country Manager for the Country and Kosovo, who is on her first visit since taking office earlier this month.
Expressing gratitude for the three decades of support so far, Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her expectation that the cooperation with the World Bank, with the new Manager, will result in greater benefits for the Macedonian society. She pointed out that since 1993, over 100 projects worth $2.2 billion have been approved, through which employment and social protection systems have been strengthened, sustainable, green growth has been promoted, with the ultimate benefit – a stronger Macedonian economy and a better quality of life for citizens.
For charting the path to sustainable development, as Siljanovska-Davkova said, the World Bank Partnership Framework 2024–2028 is an excellent basis, especially considering that it is aligned with national priorities and focuses on three main goals: improving the delivery of public services through improved administrative capacity and efficient public spending, increasing the number of new jobs in the private sector through digitalization, harmonizing with EU standards and strengthening basic skills and mechanisms for job transition, as well as increasing resilience to climate change through supporting energy efficiency, cleaner air and better infrastructure.
The primary goal of the World Bank, which is itself transforming from within, as Carole Megevand said, is to support the development of the country, through implementation of best practices and experiences. She emphasized that during her term, she will advocate for inclusive economic growth of the country, where everyone will receive equal opportunities for housing, education and employment, for improving infrastructure, as well as for digitalization.
Pointing out that the meeting with President Siljanovska-Davkova is her first meeting with representatives of the country’s leadership, Megevand expressed her expectation that the World Bank’s priorities for the country will be identical to the Macedonian national priorities.
