Economy
Lenders put spotlight back on pending reforms ahead of second post-MoU review
As Greece approaches the six-month mark after officially exiting its final bailout programme, the government’s to-do list still remains substantial.
Outstanding tax refunds at lowest level in five years
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) outlined in its December tax return report that in 2018 it achieved a significant reduction in the amount of tax refunds still outstanding.
Building permits rise by 23.8 pct in Oct, up by 10.9 pct in first 10 months
Building permits rose by 23.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) in October compared to an increase of 6.6 percent in September, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data released on Tuesday showed.
Budget primary surplus at 3.16 bln in December, missing target for full year by 443 mln
The budget primary balance came to a surplus of 3.16 billion euros in 2018, according to the preliminary budget execution bulletin for December published by the Finance Ministry (MoF) on Monday.
Record year for company launches in 2018, small enterprises continue to dominate
Data from the General Commercial Register database (GEMI) has shown that 2018 was a bumper year for companies being launched in Greece compared to companies being closed with the highest balance on their records.
CPI up by 0.6 pct in Dec, matching annual average increase for 2018
Greece’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.6 percent in December from a rise of 1 percent in November, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
Car sales rise by 4.1 pct in Dec, taking annual increase for 2018 to 22.6 pct
Road motor vehicles going into circulation for the first time rose by 4.1 percent in December after an increase of 12.3 percent in November, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
Unemployment at 18.6 pct in October as unemployed fall by 12.2 pct year-on-year
Greece’s seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate stayed under 19 percent for a third consecutive month in October, remaining at 18.6 percent, the Hellenic Statistical Authority’s (ELSTAT) data showed on Thursday.
General govt primary cash surplus at 7.62 bln in Nov, arrears fall by 42 mln
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus came to 7.62 billion euros in the first 11 months of the year, up by 445 million euros compared to the same period last year, according to the Finance Ministry’s (MoF) monthly gg bulletin.
Piraeus eyes major NPE deal as banks remain focused on bad loans
One of Greece’s four systemic banks, Piraeus Bank, is rumoured to be working on a substantial deal to address its non-performing exposures (NPEs).