Economy
Lenders flag up minimum wage, trade union law among issues to be examined in next review
In a 21-page report that was submitted by the institutions to the Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos at the end of June and was leaked by Greek daily Eleftheros Typos on Sunday, the country’s lenders detail their proposals on the labour market reforms, which would form the base of discussions in the context of the second programme review.
![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 sets out key priorities for Greece, including labour market flexibility
In its staff report for the 2016 article IV consultation on euro area policies released on Friday, the International Monetary Fund highlighted labour market flexibility, strengthening competition and improving business environment as the key reform priorities for Greece.
Greek stocks fall 1.4 pct during week as trading volumes plummet
The Greek equity market slipped 1.4 percent in the first week of July mainly due to a negative performance in the first two sessions of the week, while the succeeding rebound was not enough to erase earlier losses.
Trade deficit climbs for second straight month in May, rising by 12.5 pct
Greece’s trade deficit continued heading north for the second straight month, albeit at a slower pace, increasing by 12.5 percent in May after a 21 percent rise in April, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Friday.
Car sales fall 2.5 pct in June after impressive growth in preceding two months
The number of road motor vehicles (going into circulation for the first time) fell by 2.5 percent in June after an impressive growth of 33 and 24.5 percent respectively in the preceding two months, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
Drop in CPI slowed to 0.7 pct in June
Τhe Greek Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell by 0.7 percent in June after a 0.9 percent drop in May, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data displayed on Friday.
Unemployment rate falls again, reaching 23.3 pct in April - lowest since March 2012
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate fell for the third straight month in April, when it declined to 23.3 percent from a downward revised 23.7 percent in March, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) labour force survey showed on Thursday.
General government primary cash surplus widens to 2.5 bln by May, arrears resume upward trend
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus substantially widened by almost 5.5 times to 2.53 billion euros in the 5-month period of 2016 from 463 million a year ago, the Finance Ministry (MoF) gg bulletin displayed on Thursday.
Greek train firm TRAINOSE attracts just one bid, no interest in rolling stock
The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) announced on Wednesday afternoon that only one binding offer was submitted for the sale of 100 percent stake in TRAINOSE (operation and management of railway activities). It came from Italian firm Trenitalia.
Technical MoU provides more detail on fiscal brake, arrears and privatisations
The technical memorandum of understanding (MoU) that supports the supplemental MoU, which was compiled after the completion of the first programme review, contains some interesting revelations on several issues related to the fiscal brake, arrears clearance and the state-owned entities that will be transferred to the new privatisation and investment fund.