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Tuesday, 25 September 2018

Tripling of primary budget surplus target attributed to greater collection of taxes; curtailed returns, public investments

The Greek state’s over-performance in terms of achieving an eight-month primary budget surplus target, which exceeded the target three-fold – 3.157 billion euros over a prescribed 917 million euros –…

High court prosecutor insists recent instructions not meant to delay, complicate Mati wildfire probe

The high court’s top prosecutor on Tuesday called on the judicial official assigned a closely watched case involving the deadly July 23 Mati wildfire to continue his criminal investigation, a…

Greece a disappointing 108 out of 162 countries in latest Economic Freedom index

This year’s annual Economic Freedom ranking by the Canada-based Fraser Institute – with data concerning 2016 has Greece ranked 108th among 162 countries, an slightly improved ranking but still woeful…

Monday, 24 September 2018

Tsipras at UN event: Exit from bailout era with protection of the weakest

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed a UN event on Monday in New York City for late South African statesman Nelson Mandela, where referred directly to what he called his…

ESM’s Janse on fund’s involvement in Greek program: Approach of granting loans in return for econ reforms works

European Stability Mechanism (ESM) secretary general Kalin Anev Janse noted on Monday that Greece’s ability to overcome its economic problems is “a sign of the resilience of its people,” writing…

fYRoM PM Zaev sees doubling in bilateral trade if Prespa agreement implemented

The prime minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), Zoran Zaev, predicted a doubling of trade with Greece upon ratification of a landmark agreement to finally resolve the…

Tsakos Energy Navigation reportedly eyes order for up to 12 new container ships

By L. Karageorgos [email protected] The Tsakos shipping group this month announced that it aims to significantly increase the number of container ships in its fleet, with recent reports pointing to…

ISO 45001 for Minerva Marine

Minerva Marine Inc. this week announced that it has received an ISO 45001 by the Norwegian registry DNV GL. The  certification stems from Minerva’s commitment to excellence, its performance, the…

OPAP confirms deal to acquire one-third of rival sports betting site’s parent company

OPAP, the biggest sports gaming company in Greece and the exclusive operator of numerical lotteries and betting parlors,  on Monday confirmed a deal by which it will acquire 36.75 percent…

Eurozone official: Decision on Athens’ request to avoid latest round of pension cuts probably on Dec. 5

By N. Bellos [email protected] Any decision to acquiesce to a pressing request by Athens for a suspension of scheduled social security cuts in January 2019 will, by all accounts, be…

Greek ministry says primary budget surplus triple the target over Jan-Aug period

Figures for Greece’s primary budget surplus, as a percentage of annual GDP, showed that a dramatic over-performance in the Jan-Aug 2018 period. Specifically, the finance minister said the creditor-mandated primary…

Inaugural World Values Survey in Greece shows higher insecurity, introversion and mistrust by Greek citizens

Insecurity, introversion and mistrust are increasingly gripping Greek citizens, a new World Values Survey finds, the first time the specific survey – conducted since 1981 – also included Greece. The…

Lack of Moody’s upgrade for Greece deemed as first post-bailout ‘hiccup’

By G. Sakkas [email protected] Moody’s hesitation to issue another credit review for Greece on Friday and a much hoped-for upgrade generated discomfort with the coalition government over the weekend, although…

Sunday, 23 September 2018

First post-bailout Greek review by creditors expected after mid-Nov.

By T. Tsiros [email protected] Deliberations between the Greek government and representatives of institutional creditors – the one-time “troika” or “quartet” – will continue until at least mid November, with the…

Tsipras-Erdogan meeting in NYC on Tues

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday in New York City, on the sidelines of the 73rd UN general assembly. According to…

Greek DM irked by front-page article; files criminal libel suit that jails publisher, two journalists for a day

The publisher of an Athens daily, an editor and a political reporter were freed from custody on Sunday morning after spending the night at a police precinct following a lawsuit…

Major blaze at Univ. of Crete campus

Α major blaze erupted on Sunday morning at the University of Crete’s campus in Irakleio, Crete. The fire was not threatening the student dormitories, authorities said. …

Friday, 21 September 2018

Record-breaking fast ferry added to Seajet’s Aegean fleet

The latest high-speed ferry in Seajet Plan’s fleet arrived at the port of Piraeus this week, with the “WorldChampion Jet” – the former HSC Villum Clausen – set to bring…

FinMin points to positive econ figures in bid to attract investors; downplays concerns over high fiscal targets, return to markets

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos returned to familiar territory this week – in the United Kingdom – for the 13th “Roadshow” organized by the Athens Stock Exchange in London on…

Fraport Greece announces fee hikes next year at 3 airports whose upgrades will finish by end of 2018

Fraport Greece this week announced that it will increase fees at three airports whose upgrades will be completed by the end of the year, namely, at Hania, Kavala and Zakynthos.…

Athens-area hoteliers blame ‘Airbnb-style’ stayovers for marginal hike in vacancy rate

By A. Tsimplakis [email protected] The association representing the greater Athens area’s hotels has again cried “foul” over what it charges is the booming phenomenon of Airbnb-style short-term leasings of private…

Greek energy minister in fYRoM next month

Greek Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis will be in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) next month, where he’ll attend a handful of MoC signings by energy-related companies. A MoU…

PM, DM Kammenos to kick Prespa agreement ‘down the road’ until March; Zaev quip quickly revised

Government sources on Friday quickly revealed that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, the head of a small right-wing party that props up the mostly leftist coalition…

Effort underway to relieve overcrowding at Moria hotspot on Lesvos

Some 100 people will depart on Friday from the Moria hotspot on the island of Lesvos (Mytilene) by ferry boat for the northern city of Kavala, where they will be…

ND leader’s chief of state: Promised tax, contributions breaks to cost 6 bln€ over four years

Tax breaks and lower social security contributions promised by main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis last week, during an address in Thessaloniki, will cost state coffers roughly six…

Thursday, 20 September 2018

Retailer Media Markt denies it’s de-investing in Greece

MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, a subsidiary of Germany’s Ceconomy AG, this week aimed to douse growing speculation in Greece that the electronics and white goods retailer was a reduced presence in…

Greek FM confidently tells German counterpart that Prespa agreement will be ratified by both sides

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias appeared confident on Thursday that a referendum in the neighboring former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) on June’s “Prespa Agreement” will approve of the deal,…

Tsakalotos promises extra spending in 2019 within ‘fiscal space’

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos used a “road show” in London as a backdrop on Thursday to promise that his leftist-rightist coalition government’s extra spending in 2019 will stay within…

Latest Pulse opinion poll gives ND 10.5% pt lead over SYRIZA; margin slightly narrower from June

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party is given a 10.5-percentage point lead over ruling SYRIZA in the first opinion poll released after the summer by the Athens-based Skai broadcaster. Specifically,…

Vivartia announces twin growth strategy for its F&B arm: expansion overseas, presence in top tourism spots

By S. Emmanuil [email protected] The Athens-based Vivartia group this week announced that it aims to operate 22 stores – mostly under its Goody’s Burger House and Flocafe Espresso Room brands…