Economy
The agenda of the first programme review shapes up with thorny issues
Following the disbursement of the second sub-tranche of 1 billion on December 23, the next challenge, the biggest since the signing of the third programme in the summer, involves the completion of the first review.
Tax arrears jump by 1.45 bln in November to a total of 11.83 bln year to date
After a short-lived rise by less than 1 billion in October, Greece’s new unpaid taxes increased by 1.45 billion in November, General Secretariat of Information Systems (GSIS) data showed on Monday.
Notable increase in grants to social security sector leads to budget primary deficit in Nov
Greece’s budget primary surplus was confirmed at 4.34 billion euros in the 11-month period of 2015, up by 21.7 percent from the corresponding period last year, according to the Finance Ministry (MoF) final budget figures published on December 24.
Eurobank sells insurance arm to Fairfax for 316 mln
Eurobank announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with its shareholder Fairfax for the sale of an 80 percent stake in the bank’s insurance subsidiary Eurolife.
Piraeus port privatisation moves a step closer
The deadline for the submission of binding bids for the acquisition of a 67 percent stake in Piraeus Port (OLP) expired on Monday, with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) noting that announcements will be made on January 12 after the opening of financial offers.
Travel receipts drop by 4.1 pct in Oct for second straight fall
Greece's travel receipts dropped for the second successive month in October, when they fell by 4.1 percent following a 5.4 percent decline in September, Bank of Greece (BoG) data displayed on Tuesday.
NBG boosts capital base by selling total stake in Finansbank
National Bank of Greece (NBG) announced early on Tuesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) for the sale of a 99.8 percent stake in its Turkish arm Finansbank for a total consideration of 2.75 billion euros.
Industrial turnover dives 18.9 pct in Oct, highest drop over last six years
The drop in Greece’s Turnover Index in Industry accelerated to 18.9 percent in October from a revised 14.2 percent in September, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures displayed on Monday.
Current account turns to a surplus of 314 mln in Oct on contracting goods deficit
Greece's current account (C/A) balance turned to a surplus of 314.2 million euros in October 2015 from a deficit of 456.1 million last year, Bank of Greece (BoG) data showed on Monday.
Strong rebound of 7.7 pct in week for Greek stocks with jump in trading activity
Greek shares rebounded 7.7 percent this week for the first time in the last four weeks amid a jump in trading activity triggered by the introduction of new NBG shares last Monday and indices rebalancing.