Economy
Trade deficit drops by 0.9 pct in June as exports outpace imports
Greece’s trade deficit dropped by 0.9 percent in June after rising by 14.2 percent in May, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Monday.
Capital controls to ease further from the beginning of September
Individuals will be able to withdraw a lump sum of up to 1,800 euros per calendar month from September 1 as part of government moves to further relax the capital controls in place since 2015.
OTE revenues fall but profits rise in H1 2017
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A (OTE Group) has reported that revenues in the first half (H1) of the year fell by 0.8 percent to 1.87 billion euros.
General govt primary cash surplus falls to 2.63 bln in six-month, arrears rise to 5.13 bln
Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus fell by 807 million euros from the previous year to 2.63 billion in the first six months of 2017 according to the Finance Ministry’s (MoF) gg bulletin.
Tourism could give economy annual 5 bln boost, NBG report finds
Tourism could generate an additional 5 billion euros for the Greek economy annually according to new research by the National Bank of Greece (NBG).
Hellenic Exchanges posts 52 pct drop in net profits for H1
The Hellenic Exchanges-Athens Stock Exchange Group (ATHEX) results for the first half (H1) of 2017 posted a 52 percent fall in net profits compared to the first six months of 2016.
Mandatory e-payments come into force as Greece seeks to boost card use further
Electronic payment options have become mandatory for a wider range of businesses and professions as a move to combat tax evasion and boost VAT revenues.
PMI stays at 50.5 in July with second positive reading in 11 months
Greece’s Manufacturing PMI stayed neutral in July according to Markit, posting over the 50.0 point no-change threshold for the second time since August 2016
May retail sales show slight rise of 0.4 pct, volume increases 0.3 pct
The turnover of Greece’s retail trade index increased marginally by 0.4 percent in May after a downwardly revised figure of 3.8 in April according to data from ELSTAT on Monday.
Overdue social security contributions increase 827 mln to 23.3 bln at end of Q2
The stock of unpaid social security contributions (SSCs) rose by 827 million to 23.32 billion euros at the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2017, up from 22.49 billion at the end of the previous quarter.