Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Labour Minister presents government's proposals on social security to ND leader

[02] Industry's development should become a national target, said Dep. Econ Minister Tzakri

[03] Greek PMI up in December

[04] Large number of refugees to arrive at Piraeus port on Monday

[05] Light quake jolts Nisyros

[01] Labour Minister presents government's proposals on social security to ND leader

Katrougalos briefed the main opposition leader on the government's proposal for the social security system.

On his part, Plakiotakis stated that ND will examine that government's proposal before it states its official position "ND's positions are clear and have been repeatedly stated in parliament. We are against cuts in pensions and increase of the insurance contribution" he noted.

[02] Industry's development should become a national target, said Dep. Econ Minister Tzakri

Addressing an Industrial Forum, bringing together representatives from the state and all productive classes, Tzakri said the forum aimed to become the main consultation body between the state and all productive and social partners to draft a plan for the recovery of the industrial sector.

The minister also underlined that "now we know that we are alone in Europe, now that we know that it is a ground of extreme nationally economic competitiveness we will slowly build policies that will take advantage of the European framework and will give a productive and growth breather to our country".

The forum will seek to attract recommendations to deal with all crucial issues related with Greek industry and to form working groups to drafting an action plan, such as a group of determining the dynamic sectors of the industry able to create stable job positions and compete internationally, a group to link innovation with industry, a group to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, a group to save energy and to seek a cut in energy cost, a group of funding tools-attracting direct foreign investments for the support of the manufacturing sector, a group of business environment to deal with the lifting of administrative hurdles, improving licensing procedures, market supervision.

Each working group will submit its recommendations by the end of February.

[03] Greek PMI up in December

In a monthly report, Markit said that the December growth rate was the highest since August 2014 and noted that production increased despite a new decline in incoming new orders. Production continued falling since September 2014 while a decline in new orders in December was the lowest in 13 months. Employment in the manufacturing sector grew slightly, ending an eight-month period of shrinking. Pending works fell at the lowest rate in 23 months. Inventories fell in December while supply purchases fell for the 16th successive month, although at the slowest rate recorded in 12 months.

Markit said that import prices rose in December, at the highest rate in three months, while outflow prices fell and delivery times extended for the 13th successive month.

Samuel Agass, an economist in Markit, commenting on the report said that "a slightly improvement of operating conditions is a sign of steady progress for an economy which was very risky six months ago".

The PMI measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector while readings below 50 a shrinking sector.

[04] Large number of refugees to arrive at Piraeus port on Monday

The ferry Mykonos carrying 688 refugees from Chios and Samos arrived earlier at Piraeus.

In the period 31 December 2015 - 4 January 2016, the Greek Coast Guard has rescued 596 migrants and refugees in 13 incidents that occurred in the sea regions of Lesvos, Chios, Agathonissi, Kos and Megisti

[05] Light quake jolts Nisyros

According to the Athens National Observatory Geodynamics Institute the quake's epicentre was located 25km south of Nisyros and 326km east of Athens.

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