Republic of Macedonia will get approximately EUR 50 million from the World Bank this year, but what is more significant and essential is the know-how transfer for capacity enhancement of state institutions and designing of reforms, said Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski after Wednesday's meeting with World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Ikonjo-Iweala.

Stavreski stressed the funds would be used for budgetary support, regional project for disaster insurance, support for implementation of an energy project, continuation of a cadastre project and other investment projects.

"What remains is an agreement on projects for coming years, depending on the Government's agenda and the necessity for strengthening of the economy's competitiveness and improvement of its performances", added the FinMin.

According to him, the World Bank would support the project for conditioned cash transfers, providing monthly financial support in the amount of Denar 1,000 for poor families and beneficiaries of social aid, providing they regularly send their children to school.

World Bank director Ikonjo-Iweala voiced satisfaction from Macedonia's progress in the past decade, adding the bank would provide support to the country towards building advanced infrastructure and human capacities, regional integration and opening of markets, as well as EU accession through experience and know-how.

"Macedonia is a top reformer. The Doing Business report ranks the country on the 38. spot in global terms and first among Balkan states. Significant progress has also been achieved regarding property rights through development of a cadastre system that represents a model in the region", added Ikonjo-Iweala.

According to her, job creation is one of the crucial ways to reduce poverty, which is one of the main problems in the region.

"The focus of our program is how to create an environment that would stimulate poverty reduction, which is possible through job creation. Therefore, we support this growth, whereas the IFC - the World Bank section focusing on the private sector - also has an instrument for SME support in business start-up", stressed Ikonjo-Iweala.

Interlocutors also tackled education reforms, improvement of the business climate and reduction of unemployment and poverty, as well as all aspects of the Government's mid-term agenda.

World Bank-Macedonia cooperation has been active for two decades, during which the country has received more than US$ 1 billion in loans and about US$ 190 million in grants.