THE IMPACT OF RECENT LEASING ACTIVITY ON THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Leasing is an activity that refers to movable and immovable goods, in which the lessee determines the subject of leasing that is purchased or produced by the lessor and is given to the lessee for use for an agreed period, in exchange for payment of compensation for the use of the subject of leasing, based on the leasing agreement concluded between the provider and the lessee, according to the conditions specified in it. Leasing is an alternative way of financing where it is necessary to emphasize the use of the leased goods, and not the ownership over them (use but not possess), i.e. the philosophy of leasing arises from the idea of profitable use of an investment goods followed by a flexible method of payment that allows investment without the additional engagement of core capital, successful operation and maximum utilization of funds. In addition to the primary financing function that the leasing activity has for the lessee, if he uses the leased goods for business purposes, leasing in that case can also have an investment function. Regulated by the Law on Leasing, leasing activity in the Republic of North Macedonia has a fairly short lifespan, focusing exclusively on financial leasing. Through analysis, synthesis, and statistics, the authors processed the official data of the Ministry of Finance presented by the National Bank in the period mainly of the last decade, which offers a clear picture of the movements of the use of leasing in the country.