Skopje, 21 October 2021 

The National Bank is among the central banks that, despite the pandemic, are constantly improving its statistics, as shown with the dissemination of annual financial accounts data. It has achieved a lot in the area of data dissemination, after the release of NBStat. Statistics published by the National Bank adhere to the highest international standards met by only 26 countries in the world.

This was stated by the Director of the IMF Statistics Department, Louis Marc Ducharme, at a meeting with the National Bank team, led by the Governor, Anita Angelovska Bezhoska, within the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF.

At the meeting, Ducharme pointed out that the National Bank statistical performance, especially in the past two years, has yielded exceptional results, which are of great importance for the overall statistical system of the country. However, this is also important for the overall economy as it is the basis for making right decisions, by both policy makers and the corporate sector. Moreover, it is also noteworthy that since the outbreak of the corona crisis, the National Bank has conducted all statistical surveys without any delay.

It was also emphasized that the National Bank is constantly seeking to improve transparency, quality and scope of statistical data. Clear, timely and quality reporting on monetary and financial stocks and flows is of particular importance for the adoption of policies aimed to maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability.

Less than a year ago, the National Bank started disseminating annual financial accounts data of the domestic economy, which show the stock of financial assets and liabilities. This was an important step for the domestic statistical system, as these data provide detailed information on the stock and flow of financial assets and liabilities of the sectors, their structure by financial instrument, as well as the mutual financial exposure of each sector. Hence, financial accounts are an important source of information for economic policy makers.

Furthermore, the National Bank is intensively working on the preparation of new statistical data, i.e. indicators under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the highest IMF special data dissemination standard - SDDS Plus, which is adhered to by only 26 countries.

It was also pointed out that the National Bank is building its statistical capacities through projects with the IMF, the EU and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO).

The Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and his team also participated in the meeting.