Macroeconomy
IMF raises forecast for primary surplus but differences with European lenders remain
Following the publication of its macro estimates in the World Economic Outlook (WEO), the International Monetary Fund issued on Wednesday its latest fiscal estimates in the Fiscal Monitor, where the numbers for Greece for 2017 and 2018 were updated.
Primary cash surplus at 7.72 bln in March on strong underspend
Greece’s central government primary cash surplus recorded a surplus of 7.72 billion euros in the first three months of the year, Bank of Greece (BoG) figures showed on Wednesday.
![Photo via IMF photostream on Flickr [https://www.flickr.com/photos/imfphoto/]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2014/08/11/imf_439_1108-medium.jpg "Photo via IMF photostream on Flickr [https://www.flickr.com/photos/imfphoto/]")
IMF revises growth forecasts downwards, emphasising gap with other lenders
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued on Tuesday its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), updating its forecasts for the Greek economy over the coming years.
Tourist numbers increase by 9.7 pct in 2017, cruise visitors decline
The balance of travel services came to a surplus of 12.73 billion euros for the full year in 2017, according to figures released by the Bank of Greece (BoG).
New overdue taxes jump by 2.01 bln in Feb, total stock climbs to 101.12 bln
Greece’s new tax debt jumped by over 2 billion euros in February, growing sharply from an increase of 766 million euros in January, data from the Independent Authority of Public Revenues (IAPR) revealed on Tuesday.
Budget primary surplus at 2.32 bln in Mar, beating target by 1.22 bln
The budget primary balance recorded a surplus of 2.32 billion euros in the first three months of 2018, compared to a surplus of 1.07 billion noted in March 2017, the MoF preliminary budget execution bulletin showed on Monday.
Car sales up by 23.9 pct in March and by 33.3 pct in three-month period
Road motor vehicles going into circulation for the first time rose by 23.9 percent in March, remaining positive but declining against the 33.1 percent increase in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
CPI declines by 0.2 pct in March for year’s second negative reading
Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) edged down by 0.2 percent in March after positive growth of 0.1 percent in February, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
Building activity up by 18 pct in Jan, permits dip below 1,000-mark
Building permits rose by 18 percent in January compared to a decrease of 6.7 percent in the previous month, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Thursday showed.
Unemployment rate at 20.6 pct in Jan, inactive population rises
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate came to 20.6 percent in January, edging slightly down from December’s figure of 20.8 percent, Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.