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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-03-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Fuchtel urges Germans to visit GreeceAMNA -- Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on Tuesday met Germany's special envoy for Greece, Deputy Labour Minister Hans Joachim Fuchtel, who was accompanied by Otto Rehhagel, former coach of the Greek national football team, who was also enlisted by the German Chancellor as her special envoy.Kefalogianni noted that investing in human resources is a priority and announced a number of initiatives in tourism sector education and vocational training. Referring to a new education programme, already implemented in Germany, Portugal and Spain, which is mainly supported by private enterprises and offers to tourism studies' students paid on-the-job training, Kefalogianni said that "the ministry of tourism supports innovation that contributes to better training and creates new job positions". On his part, Fuchtel noted the tourism ministry's intention to promote vocational training and said that it is a great tool in tackling unemployment. Focusing on the advantages of the new education programme, Fuchtel said that the trainees are paid and, at the same time, they have the opportunity to get in touch with labour market trends and work in a foreign country.amna He said that the new initiatives undertaken by the tourism ministry have the right timing because Europe has earmarked 6 billion euros for such purposes, underlining that Greece can receive funding and take advantage of the opportunity to reduce unemployment. mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;color:#0F1419; Speaking to AMNA, Fuchtel invited the German tourists to visit Greece, noting that Greece has made noticeable progress and is a safe country that Germans should visit.amna [02] Defence ministry provides €142.6m for military hospitals and pharmaciesAMNA -- The Defence ministry announced that the amount of 142.6 million euros will be provided for military hospitals and pharmacies at a first stage for the payment of their debts owed to third parties.The NIMTS hospital has been provided with 50 million euros as a first instalment for the payment of its debts until 2011. The amount of 92.6 million euros was also provided for the military hospitals and pharmacies of the three branches of the Armed Forces. mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; The relevant decision by the jointly responsible Defence and Finance ministries is part of the government policy's wider framework for the payment of public sector debts.amna [03] Greek exports to third countries up 17.8 pct in 2012AMNA -- Increased exports to third countries, with raw materials and farm/food products at the helm of export activity, Greek exports registered a new all-time record in 2012, with their value totaling 26.5 billion euros, up 5.9 pct from 2011, the Panhellenic Federation of Exporters said ON Tuesday.In a statement, the Federation said last year's export performance was of particular importance given a decline of exports to EU member-states (-1.7 pct) which accounted for 60.9 pct of total Greek exports in 2012, down from 65.4 pct in 2011, and an 1.4 pct decline in exports of industrial products hit by the appreciation of the euro parity against the US dollar. Christina Sakellaridi, president of the Federation said: "Greek exporters have achieved a miracle which lasted three years. Prospects remained positive for 2012 as well, but recent developments in Europe and Cyprus, are significantly lowering possibilities and prospects not only on bilateral level but regional as well. Exports to Cyprus fell by 380 million euros last year and losses could reach around half a billion euros this year". Sakellaridi noted that exporters in Greece, Cyprus and in southern economies were facing significant difficulties and threats to their viability and underlined the need for a pan-European solution which should include the euro currency course. The Federation estimates a 2-3 pct increase in exports this year, while the European Commission expects a 2.7 pct rise.amna The value of exports totaled 17.004 billion euros in January-December 2012 –excluding oil products-, up 5.1 pct from 2011 (16.183 billion euros). Exports to EU member-states fell 1.7 pct while exports to third countries rose by 17.8 pct last year. Exports to Eurozone states fell 2.3 pct and exports to the EU-27 eased by 1.7 pct in 2012. Greek exports to former Soviet states grew 21.8 pct, last year, exports to other OECD states (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey) rose 15.6 pct, exports to North America grew 11.4 pct, to the Middle East and Northern Africa were up 8.4 pct and to Balkan states were up 6.6 pct.amna Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |