MAK-NEWS 27/12/95 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, DECEMBER 27, 1995 (MIC)

[01] STABLE EXCHANGE RATE - LOWER INFLATION

"The Government has made a decision, that will stay in effect until June 30th, next year, which establishes the regime of highest prices of some products and services, foremost those which are essential for the citizens. Notably: flour and bread of the type "500," the production and sale of oil derivatives, the production and distribution of electric energy, PTT services in the internal traffic, the railroad transportation of passengers and goods, as well as the overall system of utility services," Government spokesman Gjuner Ismail informed at yesterday's news conference.

Finance Minister Jane Miljovski explained that the activities surrounding the preparation of the Budget, as well as the creation of the macroeconomic policy for next year, started in September. In this context, he stressed that the preparation of the Budget is based on certain results, achieved over the course of the year. For instance, lowering the inflation to approximately 6%, stabilizing the exchange rate at 27 denars for one German mark, and the satisfactory quality and speed of implementation of the privatization process. "These economic achievements," according to Miljovski, "are garnished with the restoration of normal relations with Greece and the signed Dayton peace accord, which have enabled the opening of quick land traffic links with the rest of Europe."

According to Miljovski, next year's budgetary revenues amount to 43 million denars, which is an increase of 6%, compared to the annual Budget determined with the rebalance. An increase of the revenues earmarked for the Defence Ministry is announced, which, on the other hand, will be far lower for the ministries of the interior and justice. Or, as Miljovski says, some 70% of the Budget should be spent on meeting the needs of six government ministries: the three mentioned ones and the ministries of culture, health and social politics. Miljovski announced a continuation of the successful cooperation between the state safe and the monetary policy of the Central bank, with the use of a part of the budgetary funds, aimed at enlarging the hard currency reserves.

Miljovski expects a 2% increase of next year's GDP, the exchange rate of the denar to remain stable and the inflation to stay in the vicinity of 6%. These are the contours of the macroeconomic policy that Prime Minister Crvenkovski's cabinet will have to observe next year. In this framework, it is foreseen to keep public consumption at this year's level and to tighten the financial discipline in the state, which, according to Miljovski, should provide much greater revenues than the announced budgetary projections.

[02] FIRST PRIMARY RADAR STARTS WORKING

The first primary radar for air space and air traffic control started working yesterday, at an adequate radar position near the Skopje airport. This lays the foundations for the system of Antiaircraft Defence of the Republic of Macedonia, and marks the beginning of Macedonia's sovereignty in its air space, as well.

The act of putting the radar into operation was attended by high-ranking representatives of the Macedonian Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, including: from the General Staff of the Macedonian Army, General Major Janakie Manasievski and the Commander of the Military Air force and Antiaircraft Defence, Colonel Mile Manolev, and from the Civil Air Traffic Department, Goran Pavlovski, with representatives of the flight control.

These activities fit into the provisions of the Republic of Macedonia for membership in the Central European Regional Air Initiative, which implies the formation of a joint civil-military control and the protection of the air space and air traffic. A team of experts from the two ministries is already working on this project.

[03] "NOVA MAKEDONIJA" WILL BE PRIVATIZED

On the basis of article 16 from the Law on the transformation of state-owned companies, the Government Commission on the transformation of state-owned companies made a decision at its session on December 8, this year, to agree to the privatization of the news publishing company "Nova Makedonija."

In effect, this decision starts off the process of privatization of "Nova Makedonija," the largest enterprise in the country in the field of publishing newspapers, magazines and books, the graphic industry, as well as the distribution and sale of printed products.

The estimated value of the enterprise is 28 million DEM, of which 32.90% is state capital, 22.45% is realized stock capital of the employees, and 44.65% is a part of the state-owned capital which is at the disposal of those employees who have worked in the house for at least two years, and other parties interested, to sell.

The Workers' council of "Nova Makedonija" made a decision to start the transformation procedure of the company back in June, 1994. As it is known, the founder of the company, up to the year 1990, was the former Socialist Alliance of the Republic of Macedonia, and from November, 1990, "Nova Makedonija," it was registered as a public enterprise, taking over all its founders' and managerial rights and obligations, as an independent legal entity.

[04] VISAS FOR NINE ENTERPRISES

The Managing board of the Agency for the transformation of state-owned companies held its 29th session yesterday, at which it gave its consent to the decisions for the transformation of the companies "Jugohrom" - Jegunovce; the Tobacco combine "Blagoya Despotovski - Shovel" - Skopje; "Interpromet" - Tetovo; "Zhito Bitola" - Bitola; "Mavrovo" - Skopje; the construction company "Pelagonija" - Skopje; "Fustelarko borec" - Bitola; "Hartija" - Kochani and the construction company "Granit" - Skopje.

The Information related to the deadlines set by the Law on the transformation of state-owned companies, which apply to the expiration of all the deadlines (in accordance with the Law) within which the companies were able to independently make decisions regarding their transformation, was also reviewed at the session. In compliance with the Law, the Agency takes over the introduction and handling of the procedure for transformation of the companies.

The Agency assesses that some 200 companies from the Republic will have such treatment in the process of deciding about their transformation.

[05] OFFICIAL VISAS ABOLISHED

Yesterday, the Albanian Government adopted the agreement with Macedonia on the abolition of the official and diplomatic visas between the two countries.

Makfaks reports that the Government in Tirana also adopted the agreements on the assessment and settlement of border incidents, as well as some technical issues related to the border zone between Albania and Macedonia.

Radio Tirana, in reporting the government's announcement, assessed that the documents that were adopted that day will serve to improve the relations between the two countries.

[06] GLIGOROV RECEIVES PDP DELEGATION

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov held a meeting yesterday with a delegation of the Party for Democratic Prosperity, led by the president of the Party Abdurahman Aliti.

President Kiro Gligorov briefed the delegation on the political activities that are to follow when he returns to his duties shortly. He emphasized the need to have a high level of understanding between the political parties and readiness to make personal efforts and committments in overcoming the problems, especiallly those that apply to high education.

(END)