The Finance Ministry paid Tuesday Denar 1,41 billion (EUR 23 million) in subsidies for produced and sold tobacco to 22,313 farmers.

Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said at the press conference that the payment marked the start of the implementation of the measure envisaged by the Programme for financial support of agriculture for 2013.

"The Government continues to strongly support agriculture as one of the crucial economic branches, especially the tobacco growing", stressed Stavreski.

The remaining funds amounting to Denar 188 million (EUR 3 million) are to be paid by the end of the week.

The support amounts to Denar 60 (EUR 1) per kilogram of produced and sold tobacco.