Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-01-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek budget deficit down to 15.9 billion euros in 2012

[02] Unilever CEO pledges to PM that company will stay, boost presence on Greek market

[03] Samaras meets EPP secretary general

[04] Outgoing Eurogroup president makes strong support pitch for Greece

[05] FinMin: Tax bill is necessary, opposition has no viable alternative proposals

[06] Tax bill discussion opens in Parliament

[07] KKE party leader on taxation

[08] SYRIZA leader: PostBank privatization 'criminal and incomprehensible'

[09] Tsipras to meet with German finmim next week

[10] Parliament to discuss motions on 'Lagarde list' issue next Thursday

[11] Expelled MP mulling return to PASOK parliamentary group

[12] PASOK MP declares himself independent

[13] ND party leads SYRIZA by 0.5 pc, poll shows

[14] Government spokesman on takeovers

[15] Ireland's ambassador in Athens presents EU presidency priorities

[16] Council of Europe Assembly president to visit Athens, Evros

[17] Greek economy to return to growth in late 2013-early 2014, IOBE

[18] FinMin on reforms, economic prospects

[19] Unemployment jumps to 26.8pct in Oct. 2012

[20] Half of the Greeks prefer to be self-employed, probe shows

[21] Inflation up 1.5pct in 2012

[22] Dev't minister meets Belgian counterpart

[23] Belgium to provide tax revenue know-how to Greece

[24] European funding to two solar thermal energy projects in Greece

[25] Jumbo says sales up 0.8 pct in H1

[26] Greek car sales down 38.5 pct in 2012

[27] Hotel rates in Greece in Jan. 2013 record highest decline in last years

[28] Business Briefs

[29] Greek stocks continue moving higher

[30] Greek bond market closing report

[31] ADEX closing report

[32] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[33] Terror suspect to appear before prosecutor on Monday

[34] Anti-fascist rally in Athens on January 19

[35] Rainy on Friday

[36] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Greek budget deficit down to 15.9 billion euros in 2012

In a report, the ministry said that the budget showed a primary deficit of 3,684 billion euros, down from a budget target of 4.577 billion. The budget deficit was down by 6.866 billion euros compared with 2011, while the primary deficit was 2.742 billion euros lower over the same period, with the state budget balance shrinking by 30.1 pct from 2011.

The Finance ministry said that net budget revenues totaled 51.706 billion euros, down 4.1 pct from 2011, but lacked 687 million euros from a revised budget target due to lower community inflows. Net regular budget revenues totaled 48.116 billion euros in the January-December 2012 period, up 0.9 pct from a budget target reflecting higher income tax proceeds, higher property tax revenues and other non-tax revenues.

The Public Investment Program's revenues totaled 3.590 billion euros in 2012, down 183 million euros from a revised target, although higher payments in December are expected to raise community inflows in the first two months of 2013.

Regular budget spending fell by 355 million euros from a budget target due to lower primary spending, lower defense spending, lower subsidies to hospitals although spending on interest surpassed a budget target to 12.223 billion euros in 2012. State budget spending fell by 11.9 pct compared with 2011.

[02] Unilever CEO pledges to PM that company will stay, boost presence on Greek market

Polman also commented that Greece was on the right track, to which Samaras replied that Greece was indeed on the right track, "but we need to overcome difficulties and obstacles", adding that "the situation is difficult as there are everyday problems", saying that solving these problems is a target, while priority was on "liquidity in order to unlock the economy".

During the meeting, which was also attended by Unilever's president for Europe Jan Zijderveld and president of Elais-Unilever Hellas Spyros Desyllas, the two sides exchanged views on the European and Greek economy and underlined the need to boost investments in Greece, while the Unilever senior executives stressed the importance of the Greek subsidiary to the international group and continuation of its investigation of prospects for further strengthening its presence in Greece.

While in Greece, Polman took the opportunity to see first-hand the conditions in the Greek market, and praised the Greek management and employees of Elais-Unilever Hellas for maintaining the viability f the Greek company and its commitment to stand by the Greek consumers.

Noting that Unilever this year marks the 50th anniversary of its successful presence in Greece, Polman said that although the conditions are difficult "we believe that, through innovation that meets the consumers' needs, the excellent execution of our plans in the market and the ongoing efforts of our employees, we will be able to turn the challenges of the Greek economy into opportunities for substantial growth in the coming years".

In mid-November, Unilever formalized an investment initiative to begin production 110 of its products in Greece, thus generating new jobs, at a meeting with Samaras and Development Minister Costis Hadzidakis.

The British-Dutch dual-listed firm Unilever announced in November its intention to produce 110 of its products that are currently imported to Greece from elsewhere in Europe in Greece itself, covering the needs of the domestic market and transforming its local subsidiary Elais-Unilever Hellas into a strategic arm of the multinational group.

The 110 products will not be produced by Unilever's Greek plants but will be outsourced to other Greek companies.

The initiative is expected to increase Unilever's turnover from domestic production to 60 percent in 2013 from the current 55 percent. Unilever-Hellas currently exports products to 19 countries, with a turnover of 30 million euros, accounting for 7.5 percent of its total turnover.

[03] Samaras meets EPP secretary general

After the meeting, Isturiz spoke warmly of the Greek Prime Minister's role and contribution and referred to the Greek people's sacrifices

[04] Outgoing Eurogroup president makes strong support pitch for Greece

European members must help the Greek government in stemming tax revenue loss from capital leaving the country, outgoing Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday in Brussels, and charged countries of the European North with having become arrogant about Greece and forgetting European history.

Addressing the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Juncker spoke of what had not been achieved during his tenure and of delays in decisions made, but also said that the eurozone was saved from breaking apart in 2012.

He spoke in support of the Greek government's measures to prevent capital from fleeing abroad and said that "Germans are pretending as if there is no such issue; governments must collaborate in the best way possible, to help the Greek government uncover this unpatriotic stance of some millionaire and billionaire Greeks. We are not here to take advantage of the austerity policies applied to certain countries."

Juncker warned that despite the progress stability of the eurozone achieved "we are facing a difficult future, problems remain serious and their solution requires strong political courage."

Expressing support of Greece and Greek people, the Eurogroup president said that "For me, the European Union and eurozone would be incomplete without Greece. We have become arrogant. We do not know history. We do not sympathize with those who are not like us, we ignore what the Greek democracy and Greeks have given Europe. I will support this country to the end, I am a friend of Greeks," he said.

Juncker mentioned the "crushing problem" of unemployment among youth, and said the European North and South should collaborate with each other and the former recognize the achievements of the latter in gaining EU membership. "The countries of the North are not more virtuous than those of the South," he said.

[05] FinMin: Tax bill is necessary, opposition has no viable alternative proposals

The finance minister rejected amendments by coalition partners PASOK and DI.MAR. that would have helped lower-income people, noting that they would have cost over 1 billion euros, an amount that cannot be secured in any other way. "It is not possible, right before the Euroworking Group and the International Monetary Fund [meetings] to be adding 1 billion euros in expenses," Stournaras said, referring to upcoming Eurogroup and IMF meetings later this month.

Replying to criticism, the finance minister said that the opposition "are devoid of alternative proposals. They are mumbling strange things that would not even be proposed by first-year college students and give us examples of countries that refer to immediate bankruptcy."

In response to indirect charges that raising the heating oil prices has led to additional pollution from wood stoves and fireplaces, Stournaras attributed the reduction in heating fuel consumption to the cracking down of smuggling and the stockpiling of fuel in expectation of higher prices. "We have budgeted 80 million euros for a heating subsidy, with applications amounting to 6 million euros. We are covering over 85 pct of the population," he added.

Evangelos Venizelos, leader of coalition partner PASOK, said his party had included, after great effort, several amendments to improve the tax bill. "Unfortunately," he said, "in 2012 tax returns filed, only 11,000 taxpayers have entered annual incomes of over 150,000 euros. There is a serious problem when you fight over 2.5 years to achieve, simultaneously, fiscal convergence, cracking down of tax evasion and black economy, and structural changes. These targets conflict with one another."

[06] Tax bill discussion opens in Parliament

Coalition partner PASOK's sponsor, Paris Koukoulopoulos, said that the bill "does not satisfy the request for the fair distribution of tax burden" and warned that "the discussion that ended ingloriously in February 2012 with the walkout of all parties over the national tax bill will start again in the next few days on PASOK's initiative."

Coalition partner DI.MAR's sponsor, Asimina Xyrotiri, criticised the Finance Ministry for not putting down the initial necessary steps to fight tax evasion and establish a process to stop it, but added that the party would vote for the bill "as a necessary prerequisite under the country's circumstances."

The main opposition sponsor, Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) deputy Dimitris Yelalis, said the tax bill had "only a revenue-collecting feature" and charged that the bill "punishes freelancers, trades people and small businesses by taxing them from the very first euro they make, and destroys farmers, since it makes no disticntion between small-scale farmers and large enterprises."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) sponsor, Nikos Karathanasopoulos, charged that "the state budget contains 31 pages of tax exemptions," which he said "reflects what's happening in shipping, where profits from the exploitation of ships is exempted; this will happen to all sectors of the economy, with the free movement of capital set out by the EU's Maastricht Treaty."

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras are hoping for the bill to be voted into law before the upcoming Eurogroup meeting in Brussels on January 21. The bill is part of a prerequisite to receiving the next loan tranche by March.

[07] KKE party leader on taxation

Papariga also said "tax evasion is a negative symptom, but above all there are the tax exemptions, and for tax evasion they turned a blind eye because they wanted to have a policy of alliances towards certain sections of the middle classes," adding that "in reality in a short period of time we shall all be tax evaders, but tax evaders who have the right not to pay, to struggle, to claim, because enough is enough, you cannot pay at this time more than what you put in your pocket".

[08] SYRIZA leader: PostBank privatization 'criminal and incomprehensible'

Tsipras criticized the government decision to privatize the bank, "because if this finally occurs, Greece will be the only country that will not have a PostBank", adding that the government, with its decisions, opted to recapitalize the private banks and punish the state banks.

"This policy is absurd," said Tsipras, "because the Greek State will have to pay double what it would have paid if it had proceeded with the recapitalization of TT, and it would have a acquired a tool for development in the process.

The SYRIZA leader called on Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras to explain "with transparency" the choices they made and the expediency of the policy they are following, underlining the need for the Greek state and government to have the ability of supervision of the banks.

On his part, the president of the TT employees Antonis Dilehatsios charged that the government is selling off the state assets, noting that TT has never been a burden to the State Budget. He also said that the TT employees' mobilizations will continue and will intensify.

[09] Tsipras to meet with German finmim next week

The meeting was arranged before Christmas in consultation with Germany's left-wing party Die Linke.

According to a non-finalised programme, Tsipras will arrive at the German capital on Saturday and will stay for four days, which may be extended by one or two days.

He is scheduled to have a series of contacts with Social Democratic Party (SPD) officials, intellectuals, and will also speak at a Die Linke event.

[10] Parliament to discuss motions on 'Lagarde list' issue next Thursday

Several parties have tabled motions calling for a preliminary investigation into cover-up liability over the list, which contains the names of Greek citizens with large accounts at HSBC bank in Switzerland of interest to tax authorities. Motions by the coalition parties, main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), Independent Greeks and Golden Dawn name one or more of former finance ministers George Papaconstantinou and Evangelos Venizelos, and former prime ministers George Papandreou and Lucas Papademos.

The procedure for the voting on the motions, including whether by individual motion or by politician name, will be announced by Monday or Tuesday following a meeting between the Parliament president and party speakers.

[11] Expelled MP mulling return to PASOK parliamentary group

Seven MPs -- six from PASOK and one from New Democracy (ND) -- were expelled from the parliamentary groups of the two parties of the three-party coalition government after they refused to toe the party lines and vote in favor of the omnibus on November 7.

According to sources Skandalidis met Venizelos Wednesday at the office PASOK maintains in parliament, and discussed "a variety of issues".

The sources said that the return of more of the expelled MPs should be expected.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos had expelled MP Costas Skandalidis, who had been absent from the November 7 vote; Angela Gerekou, Markos Bolaris and Yiannis Koutsoukos, who simply declared their presence; and Theodoros Parastatidis and Michalis Kassis, who voted against the austerity package.

In a statement on Thursday, Skandalidis described as "excepti0nally necessary and positive" Venizelos' "invitation at Wednesday's meeting of the party's Congress Central Organization Committee (KOES) secretariat for "rallying together again, without conditions, of all the forces that believe in the party's prospect", adding that he had an "active participation in the pre-Congress process", which he considers "self-evident".

[12] PASOK MP declares himself independent

Aidonis who was elected on the PASOK ticket in Drama prefecture, refers in his letter, to "an attempt by all the political parties to exploit the 'Lagarde list' scandal", and accused PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and the party of attempting to disavow their political responsibilities in the handling of the "Lagarde list.

"I had the delusion that the PASOK leader would assume his responsibilities in order to release the party from the attempted 'collectivization' of the problem and, by extension, the three-party coalition government, and not to hide behind the threat of a destabilization of the co-governance," he said.

Concluding, Aidonis clarified that he will continue to support the coalition government's stability as the most appropriate political recipe, however he will not support recession policies and persons that damage the country and the democratic party's future.

PASOK reaction

PASOK in an announcement statement called Aidonis' decision 'sad and bizarre.

The full text of PASOK's announcement said: "Mr. Aidonis chose to do officially what he has been doing in the recent period unofficially, on the very day that the events themselves give the strongest answer to the fabrication against Evangelos Venizelos regarding the 'Lagarde list'. This is sad and bizarre."

[13] ND party leads SYRIZA by 0.5 pc, poll shows

According to the poll, ND garners 29 percent of preferences, SYRIZA 28.5, Golden Dawn 10, PASOK 8, Independent Greeks 8, Democratic Left 7 and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.5 percent, while the rest of the parties gathered 4 percent.

Compared to the company's previous poll (December 2012), ND has an increase of 3 points and SYRIZA a decrease of 2 points.

Lastly, on the question of suitability for the premiership, ND leader Antonis Samaras received 48 percent and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras 24 percent.

[14] Government spokesman on takeovers

He added that in a democratic society "it is unacceptable for you to muzzle a means of information because you do not agree as the now known hooded people attempted at Real FM".

The spokesman further said "in addition it is unacceptabler for you to target the offices of your politically opposites, a practice also continued today, with the takeover of the office of deputy Lefteris Avgenakis. Of course we no longer expect from SYRIZA (the main opposition Radical Left Coalition) to condemn the new infringements of elementary rules of law and democratic functioning of a society. We know them now".

[15] Ireland's ambassador in Athens presents EU presidency priorities

According to Sheehan, Ireland plans to place special emphasis on youth employment, as about 26 million people in the EU-27, of which 18 million in the euro zone, are hit by unemployment, which as Sheehan put it, is Europe's "largest deficit."

"We'll do everything. We ought to give hope to our youth and to all the unemployed," the ambassador said, making special reference to Greece's problem: "I know that Greece is facing a real crisis of youth unemployment, and like in Ireland, opportunities for the young people are scarce."

"My country," he stressed, "will take initiatives to guarantee such opportunities, either through job creation, vocational training or further education." Sheehan added that next month an informal council will convene on the issue in Dublin.

Ireland is the first country with an outside bailout loan that undertakes EU presidency, at a time that is preparing to return to financial markets. A successful state bond issue on Wednesday showed that markets now trust Dublin.

[16] Council of Europe Assembly president to visit Athens, Evros

The president of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon will be visiting Athens and Evros, northern Greece, between January 14-16, accompanied by members of the Parliamentry Committee of the Organisation for Immigration.

The members of the Parliamentary Committee of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, who are responsible for the control of migratory flows of illegal immigrants, asylum applicants and refugees, to the southern coasts of Europe will be making a two-day visit to Greece on January 14-16.

Financial News

[17] Greek economy to return to growth in late 2013-early 2014, IOBE

In its monthly report on the outlook of the Greek economy, IOBE said the country's Gross Domestic Product was expected to shrink by 4.5pct this year, with negative growth rates higher in the first two quarters of the year and slowing below the average level in the second half of 2013.

The inflation rate is projected to reach an average 1.0 pct this year, significantly lower compared with 2013, while the unemployment rate is expected to rise to 24.5pct in 2012 and to jump to 27.3pct in 2013, although a slowing down in economic recession, the implementation of major investment projects and extensive adoption of structural changes in labor markets were expected to slow down a rising unemployment rate.

The Institute said the country did not have room for complacency and noted that the release of the next tranche of rescue aid to Greece - scheduled for January, February and March - were linked to specific terms. A precondition for completing the government's program was a widespread understanding of the importance of the measures promoted, social consensus and strict adherence to the principles and the criteria of social justice. The Institute stressed that the most convincing evidence of social justice would be an effective response to the problem of tax evasion and a deeper tax reform.

Private investments were the main tool towards economic development, it said, while a recapitalization plan will restore capital adequacy in the banking system. Forthcoming mergers in the banking sector with the creation of less but strong players, is another major too, IOBE added.

[18] FinMin on reforms, economic prospects

Addressing an event of the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Stournaras stressed that "the Greece's destiny is linked unbreakably with that of the euro zone's. The country, with the support of its partners, has rallied together on the European path, leaving behind it the choice of a return to the drachma. Participation in the euro zone is not considered a compulsory choice of a fearful and defeated people, but a decision of growth, self-confidence and prospect".

The Finance minister also said that over the next two years and with the measures that have already been taken, the country shall have accomplished the titanic task of economic consolidation. However, he pointed out that the problem of liquidity remains a main source of concern even to healthy businesses.

Referring to the question of growth in particular, Stournaras assessed that in the second half of 2013, and towards the end of the year in particular, the country's GDP will have a positive indicator.

Lastly, commenting on the privatisations programme, the minister expressed his conviction that it will attract the interest of German businesses and Greek-German joint ventures.

[19] Unemployment jumps to 26.8pct in Oct. 2012

ELSTAT, in a report, said that the unemployment rate in October 2012 was 26.8% compared to 19.7% in October 2011 and 26.2% in September 2012.

The number of employed amounted to 3,680,894 persons. The number of unemployed amounted to 1,345,715 while the number of inactive to 3,344,478.

The number of employed decreased by 309,335 persons compared with October 2011 (a 7.8% rate of decrease) and by 16,015 persons compared with September 2012 (a 0.4% rate of decrease).

Unemployed increased by 368,102 persons (a 37.7% rate of increase) compared with October 2011 and by 36,219 persons compared with September 2012 (a 2.8% rate of increase), reaching 1,345,715 unemployed persons in October 2012.

Inactive persons -that is, persons that neither worked neither looked for a job- decreased by 23,828 persons (a 0.7% rate of decrease) compared with October 2011 and by 7,478 persons compared with September 2012 (a 0.2% rate of decrease).

The hardest hit category was once again the 15-24 age group at 56.6 percent, with an increasing number of young people seeking employment abroad.

Another hard-hit category was women, with 30.4 percent, while Attica prefecture, where some two-thirds of the country's population lives, climbed for the first time to first place in unemployment by region, with 28.3 percent.

By gender, unemployment among women was highest at 30.4 percent (up from 23.1 percent in October 2011), and 24.1 percent among men (from 17.1 percent in the same month a year earlier).

By age group, youth unemployment skyrocketed, reaching 56.6 percent from 46.7 percent in October 2011, as did unemployment in the most productive working age group (25-34 years of age) which climbed to 34.1 percent from 27.0 percent a year earlier. These are followed by the 35-44 age bracket with 23.3 percent (up from 15.9 percent in October 2011), the 45-54 age group with 19.5 percent (from 14.1 percent), the 55-64 age bracket with 15.4 percent (from 9.0 percent) and the 65-74 age group with 4.9 percent (from 3.6 percent).

By region, Attica rose to first place with 28.3 percent (from 20.4 percent in October 2011), closely followed by Epirus-Western Macedonia with 28.3 percent (from 20.9 percent). These were followed by Macedonia-Thrace wit 27.0 percent (from 21.3 percent), Thessaly-Sterea with 26.8 percent (from 20.1 percent), the Peloponnese-Western Greece-Ionian Islands with 24.4 percent (from 17 percent), Crete with 24.0 percent (from 16.0 percent) and the Aegean Islands with 16.9 percent (from 14.6 percent in October 2011).

[20] Half of the Greeks prefer to be self-employed, probe shows

However, as appears in the probe, the general trend among Europeans follows a downward course. In 2009 the positive response was 45 percent (among Europeans) and in 2012 it was 37 percent.

As regards Greece in particular, Eurobarometer (in cooperation with ICAP) showed that the Greeks prefer to be: self-employed (50 percent) or employees (43 pc). They select self-employment as against being employees because they believe that it offers: independence and self-confirmation (66 percent), freedom in the choice of location and time of work (23 pc), better income prospects (26 pc), favourable financial climate (7 pc), utilisation of a business opportunity (5 pc), avoidance of uncertainty entailed in being an employee (3 pc) etc.

[21] Inflation up 1.5pct in 2012

ELSTAT, in a report, said that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December 2012 compared with December 2011, increased by 0.8%. In December 2011, the annual rate of change of the CPI was 2.4%.

The CPI in December 2012 compared with November 2012 decreased by 0.3%. In December 2011, the monthly rate of change of the CPI was -0.1%.

In the twelve-month period from January 2012 to December 2012 compared with the period from January 2011 to December 2011 the annual average rate of change of the CPI was 1.5%. The corresponding annual average rate of change of the CPI in the previous year (January 2011 to December 2011), was 3.3%.

The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) in December 2012 compared with December 2011, increased by 0.3%. In December 2011, the annual rate of change of the HICP was 2.2%.

The HICP in December 2012 compared with November 2012, decreased by 0.3%. In December 2011, the monthly rate of change of the HICP was -0.2%.

In the twelve-month period from January 2012 to December 2012 compared with the period from January 2011 to December 2011, the annual average rate of change of the HICP was 1.0%. The previous year, in the corresponding twelve - month period, the annual average rate of change of the HICP was 3.1%.

[22] Dev't minister meets Belgian counterpart

Hatzidakis noted the importance of EU help in facing the problem of liquidity in the Greek economy which he said depended on the full and smooth functioning of the banking system and the recapitalization process currently under way.

[23] Belgium to provide tax revenue know-how to Greece

Following a meeting with Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, the Belgian minister said Greece, its government and people, had made a lot of effort and progress but more was needed throughout the coming months and years, as "the European crisis has not ended yet."

Stournaras said the two had exchanged views on their countries' and EU economy and he thanked Vanackere for his support "at a crucial time."

[24] European funding to two solar thermal energy projects in Greece

The NER300 last month awarded over ? 1.2 billion to 23 highly innovative renewable energy demonstration projects across the EU.

The two projects will receive a total funding of ? 86.5 million, or about 7 pct of their total cost, the ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change said on Thursday, adding that the funding programme "is a great success for Greece."

The projects to be funded are:

CSP MINOS: A 50-MWe solar thermal project in southeastern Crete, by NUR-MOH S.A.

CSP Maximus: A 75.3-MWe Stirling type solar thermal project, by A.N. MAXIMUS SOLAR THERMAL LTD., which will be the first and largest of its type globally, using the DishStirling technology.

[25] Jumbo says sales up 0.8 pct in H1

The increase in sales reflects mainly a significant increase in sales in its network in Bulgaria and in countries with commercial partnership contracts (Albania, FYROM), while sales fell slightly in Cyprus and Greece.

Jumbo plans to open two new retail units in Greece and is preparing its entry to the Romanian market.

[26] Greek car sales down 38.5 pct in 2012

The statistics service also said that new motorcycle registrations totaled 33,687 in 2012, down 29.5 pct from the previous year. In December sales fell by 31.1 pct.

[27] Hotel rates in Greece in Jan. 2013 record highest decline in last years

Specifically, in January 2013 the average daily rate for a double room was 72 euros while the most expensive rate in the last years in Greece was marked in August 2009 with a daily average rate of 132 euros.

The same condition prevails in most European countries with hotel rates moving downwards with the highest decline (8%) recorded in Romania with average daily rate at 61 euros.

[28] Business Briefs

[29] Greek stocks continue moving higher

The Travel (6.10 pct) and Technology (3.34 pct) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Personal Products (3.79 pct), Financial Services (3.0 pct) and Banks (1.04 pct) suffered losses. OPAP (7.0 pct), Eurobank Properties (5.05 pct) and PPC (1.1 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Jumbo (4.44 pct), MIG (3.73 pct) and Hellenic Exchanges (2.01 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 98 to 85 with another 17 issues unchanged. Unibios (29.81 pct), ANEK (28.73 pct) and Pegasus (19.9 pct) were top gainers, while Technical Publications (19.28 pct), Alfa Grissin (17.85 pct) and Sprider Stores (14.29 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -0.57%

Commercial: -0.93%

Construction: +0.21%

Oil & Gas: +0.12%

Personal & Household: -3.79%

Raw Materials: -0.87%

Travel & Leisure: +6.01%

Technology: +3.34%

Telecoms: +0.71%

Banks: -1.04%

Food & Beverages: -0.57%

Health: +0.33%

Utilities: +0.53%

Financial Services: -3.00%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OPAP, OTE, National Bank and Alpha Bank.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 1.56

Public Power Corp (PPC): 6.40

HBC Coca Cola: 17.50

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.30

National Bank of Greece: 1.37

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.70

OPAP: 6.42

OTE: 5.68

Bank of Piraeus: 0.35

Titan: 15.55

[30] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 0.55 pct, the six-month rate was 0.32 pct, the three-month rate was 0.19 pct and the one-month rate was 0.11 pct.

[31] ADEX closing report

[32] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.331

Pound sterling 0.829

Danish kroner 7.572

Swedish kroner 8.695

Japanese yen 117.5

Swiss franc 1.228

Norwegian kroner 7.407

Canadian dollar 1.312

Australian dollar 1.258

General News

[33] Terror suspect to appear before prosecutor on Monday

He was traced from his DNA on a box of ammunition found in Polytechneioupoli, in the Zografos section of Athens. Another man, accused of a holdup on Paros island during which a passerby was killed this past summer, gave testimony related to his involvement with the terror group.

[34] Anti-fascist rally in Athens on January 19

The main slogans in the rally will be "Out with the neo-Nazis. No cencentration camps. Citizenship for all the kids" and at 4 in the afternoon on the same day a concert will be held in Syntagma Square in Athens with the participation of many groups and artists.

As a show of solidarity, on Saturday the 19th, similar events will be taking place in London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Northern Ireland, Barcelona, Paris, Lyon, Brussels, Copenhagen, Tampere in Finland, New York and Chicago.

Weather forecast

[35] Rainy on Friday

[36] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVGHI: "Villa... Lagarde".

DIMOKRATIA: "Plan 'hood' ".

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "Major scandal at Army Officers' Share Fund".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Diotis (former SDOE chief) caught red-handed!"

ESTIA: "The 'wager' for development".

ETHNOS: "Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) former general secretary Ioannis Diotis exposed over 'Lagarde list' USB".

IMERISSIA: "Job opportunities for 350,000 unemployed".

KATHIMERINI: "Main opposition SYRIZA fluctuates over 'Villa Amalia'."

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Targeted actions plan in search of development".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Responsibilities of all implicated in Lagarde list must be examined".

TA NEA: "The criteria for the transfers in the public sector".

6 DAYS: "Clash among prosecutors over Lagarde list".

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