Skopje, 9 June 2023 

“As an institution we believe that our mission could only be accomplished by clearly and impartially communicating our views and decisions to the public, which is almost impossible without the support of the media.  Led by this principle, we were the second country in the world that took part in the IMF pilot project on the assessment of the National Bank transparency in accordance with the latest central bank transparency code.  The positive assessments are our encouragement for further investments in this area”, pointed out the Governor Anita Angelovska Bezhoska, in her opening address at the Workshop for the journalists where the National Bank presented the NBStat and the possibilities it offers.  

Angelovska Bezhoska referred to the National Bank efforts to constantly build-up its institutional capacity in the field of statistics, which contributes to strengthening of the decision-making process of economic stakeholders, especially when creating policies for macroeconomic stability maintenance.  Additionally, he Governor pointed out: “The preparation and dissemination of statistical data according to the highest standards is our strategic goal. Due to our efforts, we became one of the eighteen countries that meet the highest statistical standard of the IMF SDDS Plus.”

The training was conducted by Bojana Josifoska and Boban Neshkovic, experts from the National Bank Statistics Department, led by the Director of the Monetary policy, Research and Statistics Sector Sultanija Bojceva Terzijan, who, addressing the journalists, emphasized that:  “Data is only valuable when used and it is the basis for decision-making by individuals, enterprises, journalists, researchers, economic policy makers. Hence, this workshop is our significant investment for the future, as well as a greater quality in providing a public good product, which is timely, comprehensive and quality statistical data.”

The training was attended by journalists, representatives of a number of media in the field of economy. 

This workshop is a part of the series of activities the National Bank implements to clearly and impartially communicate its views and decisions to the public.  By doing so, it adheres to the transparency and accountability as fundamental principles which have always been broadly accepted by the National Bank. It is a process in which the journalists’ role and their need for clear, substantiated and accurate information is enormous.