Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, referring to the achievements of last year 2022, at the annual conference "Year of New Opportunities" said today that the Government managed to protect the citizens from the large increase in food prices as a result of the energy and crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The average salary has increased, as well as pensions, which will be increased this year as well. The growth of pensions, he added, is guaranteed by law.

Prime Minister Kovacevski emphasizes that there are new investments, as well as investments in capital investments, a series of systemic solutions have been made, and there is also domestic production of food and energy.

In his address, he informed in detail what was done in 2022 and what is planned in 2023 in all sectors, subsidies and measures to help companies and citizens.

- The Government's plans aim to provide a better standard and better living conditions for all citizens even in the conditions of the world's biggest economic and energy crisis, Kovacevski pointed out, among other things.

He added that the minimum net salary in March 2022 increased to 18.000 denars per month, and with the adopted amendments and additions to the Law on Minimum Wage in 2023, in accordance with the increase in the cost of living, the Prime Minister informed that the minimum salary will amount to about 20.200 denars.

He pointed out that the average net salary has also increased, which in November last year amounted to MKD 33.000, which, as he says, is four thousand more than the previous year in November.

We also increased pensions in 2022 and regular and early payment, and a new increase will follow in 2023. About 330 pensioners in the country are already receiving higher pensions starting from last year's September pension. In 2022, pensions grew by about 10 percent, which is a historic increase in pensions and that for a period of just one year. I said that we carried out both short-term and systemic measures, so that in this year 2023 there will be a new increase in pensions, according to the new calculation methodology, which provides for the adjustment of pensions according to the cost of living and the increase in the average salary. For one calendar year, with this increase, the growth of pensions will be around 16 percent, Kovacevski said.