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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-09-23Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: No bankruptcy scenarios; targets metNEW YORK CITY (ANA-MPA) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, speaking here on Wednesday to a group of distinguished financiers and investors at the Economic Club, outlined the economic state prevailing in Greece at the moment as well as the his government's actions in dealing with the unprecedented fiscal and debt crisis that the country is experiencing. Papandreou stressed that the situation must be judged in its appropriate dimension and that what precisely is taking place should be clarified, in contrast to disinformation that often emanates from international financial analysts.The prime minister said that six months ago most analysts declared their certainty that Greece would declare bankruptcy, whereas the country is now steadfastly committed to long-term stability and growth, something that will attract investors' interest. Along these lines, he cited the recent positive response to a National Bank's share capital increase, as well as a decision by social security funds in Norway to invest in Greek bonds. Papandreou stressed that the return of investors is due to the government proving that it means what it says, along with achieving stated targets and even exceeding expectations. Additionally, he noted that in a few months time the most ambitious and extensive reforms programme in the country's modern era has been promoted. The Greek prime minister reassured investors that the state deficit has already been reduced by 32 percent and "we shall achieve the target of 40 percent by the end of the year," adding that state expenditures decreased by 8 percent and the first-stage deficit by 60 percent. "We did not fear the political cost and we turned the economic crisis into an opportunity," he said, stressing that the latest opinion polls show increased support from public opinion compared to last April. Papandreou further said he is determined to secure that the sacrifices of the Greek people will not be in vain and expressed certainty that the short-term costs and pain will be offset by long-term benefits. "The crisis was not the beginning of the end but a new beginning," he stressed, reiterating that the public sector will utilise property assets it possesses -- he cited an estimated of 270 billion euros -- an amount that corresponds to almost the entire public debt. Other measures cited were a deregulation of the energy market, while particularly emphasising the prospect of growth for wind energy. In concluding his address, Papandreou again underlined that the country will not declare bankruptcy and estimated that economic growth will soon resume. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [02] FinMin on pending tax casesThe number of pending tax cases totals 2.5 million, while cases in tax courts total 150,000, involving claims worth 30 billion euros, whereas tax inspection authorities are able to cover only 3.0 pct of tax cases each year, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou warned on Wednesday.Addressing a meeting with relevant agencies and sector groupings to discuss a government initiative offering incentives to taxpayers and enterprises to voluntary close pending tax cases, Papaconstantinou said the plan did not intend to offer amnesty to those failing to properly meet their tax obligations, and stressed that "consistent taxpayers could not be blackmailed, nor forced to participate in the scheme". He said a draft law foresees stricter rules and speedier legal action against tax evaders. Representatives of producer classes called for greater flexibility in payment plans, and asked for assurances that the plan would result to a final settlement of tax cases. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [03] 3rd Autumn Flower Show in AthensThe 3rd Autumn Flower Shop opens Thursday at Kotzia Square in downtown Athens, hosted by the City of Athens and the Agricultural Cooperative of Attica prefecture.The Flower Show, turning Kotzia Square into a flourishing garden, will run through October 10, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visitors will have the ability to choose from a wide variety of affordably-prices flowers and plants grown in Greece, while producers will also provide information on planting and maintaining plants. The official inauguration by Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and deputy mayor for greenery George Xepapadakos will be held the following day, on Friday evening. The Flower Show, being held for the third consecutive year, aims to raise public awareness on and encourage public participation in the effort for more greenery in open spaces and on balconies and rooftops. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [04] Fire threatened villagesA major fire that broke out on the island of Crete early on Wednesday, in a chestnut and plane-tree grove between the villages of Annisaraki and Vamvakado in the municipality of Kandanos, had spread over seven kilometres and threatened to engulf both villages later the same morning.A strong fire-fighting force managed to prevent the flames reaching the villages and has now brought the blaze under control, while local residents say that it started in three places simultaneously and bears all the hallmarks of deliberate arson. Two fire-fighting helicopters from Hania and Iraklion and two water-bombing aircraft from Elefsina assisted the force on the ground and had the fire under control by midday. Their work was hampered by strong winds blowing in the area and the inaccessible terrain. The area was visited by Crete Region General Secretary Athanassios Karountzos, who said that the fire brigade would investigate the causes of the fire. Fire fighting forces remain on the scene in case the fire flares up again. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [05] ASE opening: RiseEquity prices were rising at the opening of trade on Thursday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the basic share price index up 0.29 percent, standing at 1,516.83 points at 11:00 am, and turnover at 5.9 million euros.Individual sector indices were moving mostly upward, with the biggest gains in Travel and Recreation, up 1.21 percent; and Food and Beverages, up 1.11 percent. The only losses were in Industrial Products, down 0.24 percent; and Health, down 0.10 percent. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 0.39 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 0.10 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 0.23 percent. Of the stocks traded, 32 were up, 15 were down, and 19 were unchanged. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [06] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe Finance Ministry's review of the terms for the closure of outstanding tax cases, the stricter penalties for tax evaders, public utilities organisations' mergers, the ratification of the law for the liberalization of road transports and protesting truckers' mobilisations, and the condition in public hospitals, mostly dominated the headlines on Thursday in Athens' headlines ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Guerrilla warfare with truckers after the passing of the relevant law in parliament on Wednesday". APOGEVMATINI: "National health system in ICU one year after the general elections". AVGHI: "Unconditional surrender to tax evasion- Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou: Only 3 percent of tax evasion cases can be inspected". AVRIANI: "Justice's resounding blow against the irresponsibility of politicians taking part in the parliamentary preliminary investigation committee on the Siemens case". CHORA: "Pogrom of lay-offs in Public Utilities and Organisations (DEKO) immediately after (November's) local government elections". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Professionals react to the terms for closure of outstanding tax cases". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Qatar in Helliniko (former Athens international Airport area) - The plans foresee a coastal Las Vegas with casinos, luxury hotels, marinas and an airport for millionaires". ESTIA: "The damage from the mobilisations is unimaginable - Deficits increase and intensify recession". ETHNOS: "Revelations in the 'piranhas' in public Health sector". IMERISSIA: "Favorable changes in the closure of outstanding tax cases - Government revises the terms of the arrangement after the objections". KATHIMERINI: "Facing the cost of inertia - State has 60 billion euros in uncollected debts". LOGOS: "Siemens an 'Imperium in imperio' in public hospitals". NAFTEMPORIKI: "New cutbacks in state investments and subsidies". NIKI: "Golden refuge in the era of the crisis - Huge profits for those who invested in gold". RIZOSPASTIS: "Support the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) ticket in the local government elections". TA NEA: "Tax evaders will be sent to court under 'in flagrante delicto' procedures". TO VIMA: "Law on tax evasion toughens". VRADYNI: "Finance Minister preannounced express trials for tax evasion". More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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