Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-07

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Attracting investments tops the agenda of Economy ministry

[02] We won the battle for ADMIE public networks, says outgoing Energy Min Skourletis

[03] Communications sector can become the engine of growth, State Min Pappas says

[04] OECD unveils tools for Greek economic growth

[05] Nothing will change with the new government, ND spokesman Koumoutsakos tells ANA

[06] No time to waste, says newly appointed Interior Min. Skourletis

[07] We have a three-year plan, says new Education Minister Gavroglou

[01] Attracting investments tops the agenda of Economy ministry

Following Friday's government reshuffle, new Economy Minister is Dimitris Papadimitriou, Alternate Economy Minister Alexis Charitsis and Deputy Minister Stergios Pitsiorlas.

"We will focus on attracting investments in the framework of the euro and the confidence in the European institutions," Papadimitriou underlined adding that "Greece, as a eurozone member, offers to potential investors monetary stability, security of democratic institutions and a high scientific potential level."

The minister also referred to other sectors that Greece can offer competitive advantages to prospective investors, for example the pharmaceutical industry, energy, rural tourism, medical and cultural tourism and others.

[02] We won the battle for ADMIE public networks, says outgoing Energy Min Skourletis

We managed, although we did not implement a policy that was not ours, to put our own mark, said Skourletis adding that "We were consistent to our 2015 programme engagements. I believe we won one of the largest political battles. The battle for the public networks of Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) which is now a point of reference in all Europe."

We remained stable to what we said. "We cancelled the plan for a small PPC and secured 1 bln euros of extraordinary liquidity for PPC in 2017, said Skourletis and asked 17 pct of PPC to not be sold.

On his part, the new Energy Minister said "my job is easier because my predecessor is Panos Skourletis" adding that the solid bases are a strong legacy to continue adding that "energy is an extremely important issue for the Greek economy."

[03] Communications sector can become the engine of growth, State Min Pappas says

"The previous governments did not take advantage of the country's comparative advantage, its geographical position and its impressive human resources," Pappas underlined.

"Greece can become a hub of trade and communications," he stressed and added "we are ready to give a battle. I think that the country needs to get on track for technological revolution."

[04] OECD unveils tools for Greek economic growth

In its Competition Assessment of Greece, released on Monday, the OECD estimates that easing restrictions identified in a number of sectors would have a positive impact on the Greek economy of around 414 million euros.

Barriers to competition can discourage new firms from entering markets, hampering innovation and efficiency. They result in high prices in the shops, low investment and fewer jobs.

"Enhancing competition is critical to Greece's prosperity," OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría says in his introduction to the report. "Implementing its recommendations would help reform efforts aimed at getting the economy back on to a sustainable growth path."

The report is the culmination of the Competition Assessment Project, an independent study requested by the Greek government and supported by the European Commission and Hellenic Competition Commission. The latest assessment is the third undertaken by the OECD and covers five sectors: e-commerce; construction; media; wholesale trade and a number of manufacturing sub-sectors such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Together they represent 11.2 pct of Greece's GDP and 16.7 pct of Greek employment.

[05] Nothing will change with the new government, ND spokesman Koumoutsakos tells ANA

"When someone talks about investments in a country that is struggling to remain in the eurozone [...], he should clarify whether he thinks or does not think or has renounced everything he said about the possibility of a parallel currency," Koumoutsakos said commenting on the statements of the newly appointed Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou.

"Papadimitriou has to prove a lot because in the past he said things similar to Varoufakis," he added.

Referring to the appointment of Nikos Pappas to the Ministry of Digital Policy, he said that contrary to his depreciation in the public opinion, he is rewarded with a ministry and increased responsibilities."

[06] No time to waste, says newly appointed Interior Min. Skourletis

Referring to the local administration he said that it should be a popular autonomous participatory institution with more democracy which should liberate the social forces, said Skourletis.

"We are called to solve the difficult equation, the security bodies to do their job and to respect the citizens' rights".

On his part former Interior Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis referred to the ministry's legislative initiatives with aim the gradual fiscal restoration of the local authorities

[07] We have a three-year plan, says new Education Minister Gavroglou

"We have a three-year plan; I had the opportunity to participate in the negotiations with the institutions on education issues from last October, and we are well on course towards the drawing of the a three-year plan on which we will proceed and clarified that the specific plan will be issued in approximately 10 days.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article