Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-09-14

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] The completion of the current programme review and the planning of the next one on the negotiation table

[02] Labour minister, institutions to discuss labour issues on Wednesday, remaining prior actions on Thursday

[03] Public spending, social welfare, labour issues in Wednesday's meetings with institutions

[04] PM Tsipras' meeting with Special Advisor of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus Eide concluded

[05] PM Tsipras accepts resignation of Gen. Sec for First Reception and Identification of refugees

[06] ND slams government's 'inadequacy' on refugee issue after Voudouris resignation

[07] Drastic reduction of Greek debt will be difficult, European solution needed, Dragasakis says

[08] We speak of total transparency, says Gen.Sec for Information Kretsos on TV licences procedure

[09] It's time to share the benefits of growth, Labour Min Katrougalos says

[10] President Pavlopoulos visits fire-stricken areas of Chios

[11] Solution on Cyprus issue by end of 2016 possible but ambitious, UN envoy tells ANA

[12] Greek health care system at the center of Healthworld conference on Sept. 20-21

[13] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for national reform plan

[14] We want to prove that we have a credible plan, ND spokesman Koumoutsakos says

[15] Attempts to prevent refugee children from attending Oreokastro school 'not acceptable', Education minister says

[16] Foreign ministry condemns desecration of Jewish synagogue in Ioannina

[17] Energy minister briefs institutions on developments for DESFA privatisation

[18] Greek economy to grow by 2.7 pct in June 2016-June 2017, Econ Min says

[19] Employment in Greece up 0.5 pct in Q2

[20] Greek Capital Market Commission to launch new funding tools

[21] OTE signs 389-mln-euro loans with EBRD, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

[22] HRADF wins Global National Foreign Direct Investment Program (FDI) Award 2016

[23] Karamolegos unveils new business plan, relaunches Katselis brand

[24] Six funds apply for licensing in NPL management market

[25] Tyras Group to invest 35 million euros

[26] #NowIsThe Time campaign aims to extend Greek tourist season

[27] TUI increases airtickets to Kos; extends tourism season to October

[28] China's Alibaba eyes synergies with Greek companies in meetings in Athens

[29] EPSA expects sales to recover in 2016

[30] Passenger traffic in Greek airports up 8.1 pct in Jan-Aug

[31] Power utility PPC to sign MoU with CMEC for construction of lignite unit

[32] Construction production index up 9.7 pct in Q2

[33] Turnover index in hotel/restaurant sector down 1.1 pct in Q2

[34] PM Tsipras accepts resignation of Gen. Sec for First Reception and Identification of refugees

[35] Greek stocks end flat

[36] Greek bond market closing report

[37] ADEX closing report

[38] Kalymnos attracts rock-climbing lovers from around the world

[39] Rhodes sets up web page to support its bid for European Cultural Capital 2021

[40] Greek lawyers end months-long strike on September 16

[41] Wooden sailing boat with migrants and refugees located off the coasts of Samos

[42] More than 60,000 refugees and migrants in Greece

[43] Work stoppages for busses on Thursday

[44] Light quake jolts Zakynthos

[45] President Pavlopoulos congratulates Konstantinidis on second medal at Rio Paralympics

[46] PM congratulates Paralympic athletes in tweet

[47] Mostly fair on Wednesday

[48] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] The completion of the current programme review and the planning of the next one on the negotiation table

According to Finance ministry's sources, the issues were the following:

- the completion of prior actions that will give the green light for the disbursement of the 2.8 billion euro loan sub-tranche

- the preparation of the second programme review

- the draft laws on voluntary revelation of undeclared income and plastic money

- the planning of the negotiations for the following days

According to the same sources, the representatives of the institutions, joined today by the IMF representative Delia Velculescu will remain in Athens until next Friday.

[02] Labour minister, institutions to discuss labour issues on Wednesday, remaining prior actions on Thursday

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) on Tuesday, Katrougalos clarified that the meeting did not mark the launch of negotiations on the second review since the report of an International Committee of Experts was still pending. The agreement with the lenders was that this report will mark the launch of the process, the minister added.

"We expect the report within September but it has not been delivered yet," he said and predicted that Wednesday's meeting will mainly focus on procedural issues.

"We will obviously again reaffirm that we will negotiate nothing that worsens the position of workers and that, on the contrary, we want a reversal of the deregulation, mainly through a return of collective bargaining," Katrougalos said.

The meeting on Thursday will discuss three prior actions that had already been agreed and must be implemented for the disbursement of a sub-tranche of loans, while there will be a review of progress in implementing pension system reforms, he added.

[03] Public spending, social welfare, labour issues in Wednesday's meetings with institutions

The schedule of meetings is as follows:

09:00-10:00 - Meeting on the strategy for development, with Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis.

10:00-11:00 - Review of public spending, social welfare with Alternate Finance Minister Giorgos Chouliarakis and Alternate Minister for Social Solidarity Theano Fotiou.

11:00-12:30 - Meeting on the Independent Authority Public Revenues and tax issues with Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Alternate Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis and the general secretariat for public revenues, Giorgos Pitsilis.

12:30-13:30 - Labour issues with Labour Minister George Katrougalos.

14:30-15:30 - Reforms in public administration with Alternate Minister for Administrative Reform Christoforos Vernardakis and Giorgos Chouliarakis.

[04] PM Tsipras' meeting with Special Advisor of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus Eide concluded

Eide briefed Tsipras on the course of the intercommunal talks.

Tsipras expressed Greece's support for a fair, sustainable and comprehensive solution, without Turkish troops and without the obsolete system of guarantees, a solution based on UN resolutions and the status of Cyprus as an EU member state.

[05] PM Tsipras accepts resignation of Gen. Sec for First Reception and Identification of refugees

In an interview with SKAI television on Tuesday morning, Voudouris announced that he had submitted his resignation because he was prevented from making decisions. In the same interview, he reported issues in his relations with his superior, Alternate Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas, and noted that it was "more honourable to resign".

[06] ND slams government's 'inadequacy' on refugee issue after Voudouris resignation

"The resignation of the general secretary responsible for reception and identification and what led to it confirm the government's failure to work with elementary coordination and effectiveness on the refugee - migration issue," he said.

[07] Drastic reduction of Greek debt will be difficult, European solution needed, Dragasakis says

"Even if we find the best solution, we have the peculiarity that our lenders are themselves in excessive debt. I do not, therefore, consider that it will be easy to get a large reduction of the debt without the other countries facing the same problem getting similar treatment. Therefore, we must come to a better level and seek to face it jointly, so that there is a European-wide solution concerning us all," he explained.

The work of the Economic Affairs sub-committee was largely welcomed by the opposition parties, with New Democracy and the Democratic Alliance setting aside initial reservations concerning their purpose and agreeing that it was an issue that surpassed any single government and required a national line.

Dragasakis also noted that the problem of the debt did not coincide with the duration of any one government. "We are seeking solutionss through the negotiations. There is the Eurogroup decision with medium-term measures and how it can be dealt with in the long term. Even if this go very favourably, we are talking about a negotiating process after 2018. This is why the horizon must remain open. The settlement of Greece's debt will be an indicator for a solution of debt problems in other countries. There is global interest," he said.

He also noted a need for education and self-awareness concerning the underlying causes of the debt crisis in Greece, noting a need to "balance" the external and domestic causes.

"The voices that say that only those outside are to blame and we bear no responsibility, that they can help as a charity - these reproduce the problem and don't solve it. This is therefore an issue of education," he said.

[08] We speak of total transparency, says Gen.Sec for Information Kretsos on TV licences procedure

"The opposition is criticing the procedure because they did nothing for 27 years, they did not make the TV channel owners to pay," he said speaking to ANA's radio "Praktorio 104.9 FM".

"We speak of total transparency; these are our intentions and how we wanted the TV channels to operate; everything else is ludicrous. This was also apparent in the tender because as it was organised, the government could not favour any enterprise or any business interest."

On the decision of the Council of State regarding the issue of TV licences, Kretsos said: "We believe that what we did was according to the law. I never make any comments and I do not want to refer to issues of Justice."

Kretsos also said that the audits on the state of wealth of high bidders has been completed and "we expect the payment of the first installment (82 mln euros) until the deadline of 26 September."

The government intends to give an one-month extension in the registration of internet businesses in the 'on line media' record that was established recently. Approximately 300 businesses have been registered already and we expect more to register in the one-month extension period.

There was no regulation for the internet in the last years and very often we came across the phaenomenon of plagiariasm, stealing information, intellectual property and even distorting it. This is a huge problem for the freedom of the press, for the labour relations because there are businesses that operate with rules of unfair competition which is most of all a problem for the democracy," he said and claimed that "the online media record will also offer to its members the possibility, a software, to check who is stealing their product."

[09] It's time to share the benefits of growth, Labour Min Katrougalos says

Upon his arrival to the European Commission's conference on "Public consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights", Katrougalos said that the adaptation period has ended and it's time to share the benefits of growth. He also explained that the reductions made are the ones included in the social security law voted adding that main pensions will not be reduced. Only auxiliary pensions which along with main pensions exceed 1,300 euros will be reduced, he said.

Katrougalos underlined that credibility in Greek economy is restored and stated that it is time Greece returned to social Europe.

[10] President Pavlopoulos visits fire-stricken areas of Chios

"In the last two decades, Chios has been tried with alarming frequency by fires but the last two, in 2012 and this year, were not only major but also burnt the same ground; something disastrous for the ecosystem," he said.

The president flew over the island to inspect the extent of the damage, after which he said the first priority was to prevent a repeat occurrence of the fires and also to take precautions against erosion and landslides, especially in the Elata and Mesta areas. Then work must begin on the recovery of the island's vegetation and the mastic trees endemic to the island, he said.

[11] Solution on Cyprus issue by end of 2016 possible but ambitious, UN envoy tells ANA

Eide was responding to a question by ANA on whether UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon's statement earlier this year that a solution could be reached by the end of the year. He said Ban's statement echoed similar statements made earlier in the year by the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, adding it would require hard work to achieve.

"Yes I think it's possible, it's ambitious, if they are to reach this goal we need to work hard because we have outstanding issues, but we also have so much behind us that I think is possible," he said. "The conversations we're discussing in Athens is exactly about the issue of security and guarantees and how to involve the guarantor powers when we come to the moment when the international dimension will be on the table."

On the issue of properties, Eide said "we've come a long way" and that there's an agreement in principle but the two sides are still discussing an important element on how these principles will translate to practicalities. On the issue of guarantees and security, the UN envoy admitted the starting positions of the two sides are opposing but noted that discussions have started on why the two communities have historically feared each other.

Asked about Cyprus' right to explore its offshore resources, Eide said: "Any sovereign state has the right to explore its natural resources ... but experience from modern history shows that conflict and energy mix badly. So if there is one good argument for seeking a solution it is the peaceful and long-term, stable exploitation of energy."

He also said the attempted coup in Turkey brought no change in the position of two sides on the Cyprus issue. If anything it served "as a reminder of a neighborhood that you can't take for granted and you better get this problem solved," he said, noting he's also referring to the refugee crisis and collapse of states in the region.

[12] Greek health care system at the center of Healthworld conference on Sept. 20-21

The conference, organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, is a high-level policy meeting of the governmental, medical, academic and scientific community, as well as health care sector professionals, and is primarily focused on the improvement of health care service provision and on the improvement of the life quality and safety of patients.

"The conference is being held this year at a time when the public health system is in a situation more difficult than ever, as it is unable to provide sufficient and adequate health care services to its citizens," the president of the Chamber, Simos Anastasopoulos, said.

The conference will attempt to highlight those priorities that can form the basis for the establishment of a comprehensive plan for health with sustainable pharmaceutical policy and satisfactory services despite the restrictive fiscal policy, he added.

[13] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for national reform plan

?"We want to send a clear message from Thessaloniki. We will speak of an agreement of truth that will make the Greek economy work again. We will promote the necessary structural reforms, that will make the economy competitive and will lead to steady and sustainable growth," Mitsotakis said and added: "Without private investments, the Greek economy is not going to recover. And the views of social partners are extremely valuable in this effort."

?The leader of the main opposition also said that the effort is collaborative. "Everyone should help. The state, the enterprises, the workers and first of all the politicians. Through a spirit of understanding and without false divisions and dividing lines we must finally pursue a national plan of reforms and changes that will put the Greek economy on real growth course," he noted.

[14] We want to prove that we have a credible plan, ND spokesman Koumoutsakos says

Our aim is to make the people believe that ND is the alternative solution, he noted adding that "We want to restore the relation of sincerity with the citizens."

"For us truth and hope are the same we are going to Thessaloniki without any burdens," said Koumoutsakos referring to ND leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis address to TIF on Saturday.

He claimed that ND is first in polls but in Thessaloniki "we want to prove that we have a plan" adding that "we have made a very good preparation for a credible roadmap that will get us out of the crisis."

Finally, commenting on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' speech in TIF he said "Mr. Tsipras was unconfortable and flat. He was "a countdown" prime minister."

[15] Attempts to prevent refugee children from attending Oreokastro school 'not acceptable', Education minister says

He added that this "was fortunately the reaction of a small minority, does not concern all parents and all children, nor even a substantial majority of parents and children."

"I want to say that under the ministry's programme, these young children, the refugee children, will attend reception classes in the afternoon in order to learn the language and gradually pass, at first through friend groups and then to the lessons of normal classes. But gradually. Also, we have taken all measures as the state, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and we, for the children to have the necessary vaccinations. There is therefore no serious reason, there is prejudice," Filis said.

[16] Foreign ministry condemns desecration of Jewish synagogue in Ioannina

"This barbaric action offends the memory of Greek Jews and all our fellow citizens who were the victims of fascism and constitutes a direct attack on the values of the democratic Greek society," the ministry said in a statement.

It also said that Greek authorities will do their utmost to arrest and punish the perpetrators and are determined not to tolerate a repetition of such incidents.

Financial News

[17] Energy minister briefs institutions on developments for DESFA privatisation

Sources in the ministry said the institutions expressed a desire to see the privatisation completed in line with the tender process of December 2013, in which the Azerbaijani energy giant SOCAR submitted a successful offer. The Greek side, on the other hand, said there would be no change to regulations reducing transmission charges so that consumers did not face massive price hikes and refused to discuss any reduction in either the price offered or a reduction of SOCAR's share to 49 pct, as dictated by the European Commission.

In the next few days, the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) will unveil its proposal on setting transmission charges for a brief period of public consultation, after which the relevant regulation will go into force. Negotiations with SOCAR will resume on the basis of this decision, the sources said, but in the case that the tender is cancelled the Greek state will seek compensation from SOCAR through the courts.

The meeting also reviewed the remaining prior actions relating to the energy sector, the sources said. There was no disagreement relating to any of these but the institutions asked for certain clarifications that will be given at another meeting within the week.

[18] Greek economy to grow by 2.7 pct in June 2016-June 2017, Econ Min says

In comments made to Skai TV station, Stathakis said that the economy grew 0.2 pct in the second quarter, compared with the first quarter, and noted that according to estimates the economy will grow in the third quarter as well, adding that the fourth quarter of the year will be crucial as a positive growth rate in that period would mean that the economy was on a growth course after completing three successive quarters of growth. The Economy minister stressed there were signs that a combination of exports, steady increase in employment and other indexes showed that the economy was turning to growth. Stathakis said a review of the Greek program will be completed by the end of September and that disbursement of the 2.8-bln-euro sub-tranche was expected in the first fortnight of October, adding that his agenda in negotiations did not include social contributions for professionals and farmers.

Stathakis said banks will soon have new managements and noted funding of the economy was combined with management of non-performing loans. He noted that all necessary tools have been voted and the Bank of Greece was no responsible to give licenses to companies of NPLs management.

Stathakis said that the government's intention was the close all issues related with the review of teh program and noted that several of these issues were complex and could not be resolved automatically.

[19] Employment in Greece up 0.5 pct in Q2

Employment grew 0.5 pct in the second quarter of 2016 in Greece, compared with the first quarter of the year, and grews 1.3 pct compared with the corresponding period in 2015, Eurostat said on Tuesday.

The EU executive's statistics service, in a report released here, said employment in the Eurozone grew 0.4 pct compared with the first quarter and by 1.4 pct compared with the second quarter of 2015. In the EU, employment rose 0.3 pct and 1.5 pct, respectively. Estonia (1.7 pct), Ireland (1.1 pct) and Lithuania (1.0 pct) recorded the biggest percentage increases in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter, while Croatia recorded a decline (0.4 pct).

[20] Greek Capital Market Commission to launch new funding tools

Gotsis said these tools included the Fund of Funds, with an initial capital of 200 million euros -coming from abroad and the private sector- which is expected to begin operations soon offering capital to small- and medium-sized enterprises (mostly startups and easy stage) needing see capital for their development. Another tool is the transformation of ETEAN into a development bank aimed to offer to healthy SMEs access to capital. This proposal has been made to the institutions and the government was expecting their response.

The Capital Market Commission has set as priority the creation of a regulatory framework for the introduction of new alternative products in the Greek capital market. A new law, voted in Parliament in September 1st, deregulates the market for the issuance and trading of corporate bonds. Healthy enterprises will be able to issue and to trade in the Greek capital market bonds with a stable yield (coupons). This is something that the market, large and medium enterprises, have been asking for many years, Gotsis said.

For smaller companies and mostly startups, the market introduces crowdfunding procedures, Gotsis added. Crowdfunding is a significant alternative funding tool, offering solution to the plans and dreams of several new businessmen with innovative ideas and proposals, he noted.

Gotsis said that the Greek economy was in a transition from stabilization to recovery, which is expected to be significant in 2017, but needs timely completion of a second review of the program to be continue -a development which would allow Mr. Draghi to include Greece in a QE program and the Greek government to begin debt relief negotiations. Everything shows that 2016 will be the last year of a prolonged crisis. The stock market shows signs of stabilization moving in line with the course of the Greek economy.

[21] OTE signs 389-mln-euro loans with EBRD, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

The new loans will be used to boost OTE Group's liquidity for its strategic investments in Greece and to speed up the development new generation networks.

OTE Group plans to invest 1.3 billion euros in the next four years in Greece to develop new generation networks NGA, to transform its network to IP and to develop new innovative products and services.

EBRD and BSTDB have recently included Greek enterprises in their funding plans, supporting investments helping the economic growth of Greece.

National Bank of Greece SA participates as mandated lead arranger in EBRD's syndicated loan, HSBC Bank Plc and Hellenic Bank Ltd are lead arrangers, while BNP Paribas SA, Nomura International Plc, Alpha Bank Albania, Piraeus Bank SA and Cordiant as arrangers.

Mihalis Tsamaz, chairman and chief executive of the Group, commenting on the two agreements said: "OTE Group, by far the most significant investor in new generation infrastructure, brings technologies and telecoms networks of the future to Greece today. Despite an economic crisis, with the strategy and our decisions we have maintained our ability to invest significant sums necessary for the creation of NGAs. We implement an ambitious investment plan worth 1.3 billion euros in the next four years. The country needs high-level networks and telecoms to dynamically enter a growth course. Ou cooperation with EBRD and BSTDB underlines the clear growth nature of our investment plan".

Dirk Werner, EBRD Director, Information and Communication Technologies said: ?We are happy to sign such a significant transaction with OTE today. This transaction will offer the company the means to continue its ambitious investment plan and sends a strong message to the market that the Greek economy is again "open for business".

Ihsan Ugur Delikanli, chairman of BSTDB said: "Supporting economic recovery and growth in Greece in today's difficult economic environment is a top priority for the bank. The funding of OTE, one of the biggest innovative enterprises and employers in Greece, we offer a vote of confidence to the country's economy and we invest in its future".

[22] HRADF wins Global National Foreign Direct Investment Program (FDI) Award 2016

It is the first time that a Greek organisation or company has won the award, indicating that HRADF enhances the credibility of Greece abroad and can hold its own in the international investment community. Criteria for selection were: National Economic Development Strategy, National Foreign Direct Investment Campaign, New Employment Opportunities, Privatisation Program Credibility, National Value Creation and Corporate Governance.

The European continued to acknowledge businesses that enable and boost the economy in a variety of sectors, such as FDI, Energy, Technology, Banking and Finance regional development in areas such as Europe, Latin America, Africa, MENA, Asia and Central Eastern Europe. A selection of organisations has been recognised for progress, competitiveness and for outstanding performance in their respective fields.

HRADF chief Stergios Pitsiorlas said that the recognition of the fund's work by "The European" was a great honour for the Fund and its staff.

[23] Karamolegos unveils new business plan, relaunches Katselis brand

The company said that in this framework it will relaunch the Katselis brand in the bread market, after Karamolegos bought the brand name a few years after Katselis terminated its operations.

Manolis Karamolegos, chief executive of the company, speaking to reporters, said the revival of an historic brand will bring new consumers to the market. "It is a strategy that Karamolegos Bakery serves for many years, creating new recipes, new products and codes in bread, with respect to consumers," he said. Karamolegos said a new production unit has been installed to support production of Katselis products, creating 30 new job positions.

The company will also invest in technology and new production methods, by modernizing production and expanding safety and production quality.

Karamolegos Bakery employs more than 400 workers and is steadily raising its workforce in the last five years.

[24] Six funds apply for licensing in NPL management market

In comments made to reporters in the framework of ongoing negotiations between Greek authorities and the institutions, the executive said it was important to proceed with a new legislation allowing companies to oust shareholders who do not cooperate. He added that a rapid implementation offering legal protection to bank executives was necessary, in the framework of business restructuring and noted that the Bank of Greece was assisting the government in this effort.

Banking sources said that the level of non-performing loans fell significantly, by around 350 million euros, in the last quarter.

[25] Tyras Group to invest 35 million euros

Speaking to ANA, Dimitris Sarantis, chairman of the Group, said: "with the introduction of a new development law we intend to proceed with investments worth 35 million euros on the renewal of machinery equipment, logistics and expanding freezer space".

On the other hand, the group was changing drastically with Tyras SA, Olympos SA and Rodopi SA to be merged into a new company Hellenic Dairies SA, while its subsidiaries in Bulgaria and Romania will be subsidiaries of Hellenic Dairies SA.

The Greek dairy product market shrank significantly this year, both in volume and value, Mihalis Sarantis, chief executive said, adding that "consumers bought less products in lower prices in 2015".

Dairy product sales in supermarkets fell 12 pct, while sales in the so-called smaller market are down even 20 pct.

Dimitris Sarantis said the group will record an increase in sales of around 2.0 pct in 2016, based exclusively on foreign markets. Group sales are expected to reach 310 million euros, while EBITDA will amount 40 million euros, a decline of around 10 pct.

Sales abroad -included exports and sales of the two subsidiaries in Bulgaria and Romania- are up 30 pct this year to 120 million euros, from 95 million in 2015, while domestic market sales totaled 190 million. In 2015, group sales totaled 303.1 million euros, while after tax earnings reached 15.4 million euros.

The group employs around 1,080 workers.

[26] #NowIsThe Time campaign aims to extend Greek tourist season

"For the selection and the promotion of the actions of the campaign, we took into account the messages and the trends in each country, based on both the political and economic circumstances and dynamics of the markets. More specifically, we took into account the emotions that each Greek destination causes to visitors, always aiming at further enhancing autumn tourism in Greece," Dimitris Tryfonopoulos, EOT secretary general said.

#NowIsThe Time is promoted through EOT's accounts in the social media as well as its advertising campaigns on the Facebook, Adara and Taboola in its basic markets (UK, Germany, France, the Nordic markets, the Netherlands, Poland, USA and Canada).

[27] TUI increases airtickets to Kos; extends tourism season to October

Seven airlinks with capacity of 1,700 seats are available from Monday 12 September.

Greece belongs to the winners of 2016 tourism season. The crystal clear waters, the good quality, the climate and the Greek hospitality turn Greece into an attractive tourism destination for the month of October.

TUI has its own hotels in most of the tourist destinations in Greece and offers a large range of experiences adapted to the clients' desires.

[28] China's Alibaba eyes synergies with Greek companies in meetings in Athens

Rodrigo Cipriani Foresio, Country Manager for Italy, Spain and Greece, said the company is an ecosystem with various platforms either for B2B trade contacts or for B2C (business to customer) contacts. He said new Chinese consumers are increasingly turning their attention to products from the international market with an emphasis on quality, and that 430 million consumers and Alibaba customers are also waiting for Greek products and businesses.

Asked by a journalist about the cost of opening an e-shop on Alibaba, Foresio said it ranges between 500 and 10,000 dollars, while there's an additional 1-5 percent commission.

On his side, Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou, the President of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen, said the Chamber is preparing new actions to promote synergies with the tech giant adding they are necessary for large platforms such as Alibaba's. "Synergies between small Greek businesses are necessary to include these products in large platforms of electronic commerce," Chatzitheodosiou told journalists after the meeting.

As an example of the fragmented sectors in the country, he made a comparison between Italy and Greece, saying the former has 50 large olive mills nationwide while the latter has 2,500. "We should have collaborative partnerships to get, as much as possible, Greek businesses in large electronic platforms," he added.

Alibaba executives are now meeting with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Dimitris Mardas at the foreign ministry, along with other government officials. After the end of the meeting, the company executives will present their aims and investment plans to the management of professional bodies, chambers and country liaison, at an event organized by the Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen.

On Wednesday, an event is planned in a hotel in central Athens where Alibaba executives will meet with representatives of 160 Greek companies. Chatzitheodosiou also said talks are underway for another large e-commerce company to visit Greece.

[29] EPSA expects sales to recover in 2016

Mihalis Tsaoutos, managing director of the company speaking to ANA said that "last year our sales fell significantly because of the capital controls and particularly in the July period, since we decided to reduce our risk in the market and we sold only in cash. Naturally this led to a contraction in sales and despite the fact that from September onwards the situation improved we failed to cover our losses, because July is the strongest month of the year for our products".

EPSA sales fell to 9.6 million euros in 2015, from 11.6 million in 2014, while losses rose to 870,000 euros from a loss of 290,000 euros in 2014. EBIT turned negative to -120,000 euros in 2015 from a positive 600,000 euros in 2014.

"Our main goal is to minimize losses, sales come second and we hope to reach 2014 levels, around 11.5 million euros this year," Tsaoutos said.

In the first half of the year, supermarket sales shrank 8.0 pct as "the market is falling each year for the last few years". However, EPSA's market share was 3.0 pct in the supermarket category, while in the flavors category (orange, lemonade, etc) was around 10 pct. Tsaoutos said the company was making great effort to boost its export activity, currently in 22 countries. In 2015, sales abroad accounted for 7.0 pct of total sales. "This year sales abroad could reach 10 pct," Tsaoutos said.

[30] Passenger traffic in Greek airports up 8.1 pct in Jan-Aug

Civil Aviation Authority, in a report, said that passenger traffic totaled 37,368,155 in the eight-month period, from 34,560,027 last year.

Scheduled flights grew 3.4 pct in the January-August period, totaling 323,200 (of which 131,779 domestic and 191,421 international up 2.0 pct and 4.4 pct, respectively).

In August, passenger traffic grew 6.5 pct to 8,730,952 passengers, with traffic rising more in the airports of Athens, Heraklio, Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Corfu.

[31] Power utility PPC to sign MoU with CMEC for construction of lignite unit

The memorandum concerns the building of the second lignite-fired unit at its Meliti station near Florina and will foresee the creation of a joint company with the participation of PPC, CMEC and the owners of the lignite mines from which the Meliti project will be fuelled.

The investment for the construction of the unit is estimated at 700 million euros and investments in nearby lignite pits will raise the total investment to more than one billion euros.

[32] Construction production index up 9.7 pct in Q2

The statistics service, in a report, said that the index was up 28.7 pct compared with the first quarter of 2016, while the seasonally-adjusted index was up 5.9 pct in the same period.

[33] Turnover index in hotel/restaurant sector down 1.1 pct in Q2

The index was up 125.7 pct on a quarterly basis from the first quarter of 2016, after an 102.7 pct increase recorded in the same period last year.

[34] PM Tsipras accepts resignation of Gen. Sec for First Reception and Identification of refugees

In an interview with SKAI television on Tuesday morning, Voudouris announced that he had submitted his resignation because he was prevented from making decisions. In the same interview, he reported issues in his relations with his superior, Alternate Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas, and noted that it was "more honourable to resign".

[35] Greek stocks end flat

Eurobank (2.19 pct), National Bank (2.16 pct) and Ellaktor (1.69 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while OTE (3.39 pct), OPAP (2.79 pct) and Viohalco (1.64 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Among market sectors, Banks (1.24 pct) and Food (1.19 pct) scored big gains, while Telecoms (3.39 pct) and Travel (2.43 pct) ended lower. Cyprus Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 52 to 38 with another 22 issues unchanged. Sato (18.37 pct), Fieratex (9.77 pct) and Motodynamic (9.63 pct) were top gainers, while Levenderis (29.87 pct), G.E.Demetriou (20 pct) and Hatzikraniotis (20 pct) were top losers.

[36] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates moved higher. The 12-month r?te rose to -0.055 pct from -0.061 pct, the nine-month rate rose to -0.125 pct from -0.133 pct, the six-month rate rose to -0.199 pct from -0.204 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.302 pct from -0.303 pct and the one-month rate was -0.372 pct.

[37] ADEX closing report

General News

[38] Kalymnos attracts rock-climbing lovers from around the world

The rock climbing festival will take place on October 7-9.

Kalymnos has turned into a climbers' community due to its excellent quality of the rocks and some 2,700 safe climbing routes pre-equipped with permanent drilled-in bolts, as well as easy access to the climbing routes and routes with varying degrees of difficulty.

"Once again Kalymnos will fill with energy and will become an attraction for hundreds of professionals and amateurs of rock climbing all over the world," George Chatzismalis, a spokesman of the municipal authority, said to ANA' tourism website www.praktoreio-tourism.gr.

An estimated of 2,700 climbers from around the world will visit the island while more than 500 people will participate in the rock-climbing event.

[39] Rhodes sets up web page to support its bid for European Cultural Capital 2021

[40] Greek lawyers end months-long strike on September 16

[41] Wooden sailing boat with migrants and refugees located off the coasts of Samos

The sailing boat, accompanied by a coast vessel, was led to the port of Karlovassi, Samos.

According to Coast Guard, another 94 migrants and refugees were rescued in the last 24 hours in two incidents in the sea regions of Lesvos and Chios.

[42] More than 60,000 refugees and migrants in Greece

183 new arrivals were reported in the last 24 hours.

16,425 of the refugees are in northern Greece, 8,788 are hosted in the region of Attica, 16,425 are hosted in facilities of central Greece and 246 in southern Greece. 8,788 refugees and migrants are hosted in several facilities rented by the UNHCR, and 2,482 persons are living outside organised facilities.

13,171 refugees and migrants were recorded on the eastern Aegean islands.

[43] Work stoppages for busses on Thursday

"With the implementation of the winter's routes and a host of failures on behalf of the OSY administration, we can almost predict the discomfort of passengers and the labour extermination of workers," the union said in a press release.

[44] Light quake jolts Zakynthos

According to the Geodynamics Institute of Athens' Observatory, the quake's epicentre was located in the sea region, 13 km west of Amaliada.

There are no reports of damages or injuries.

Paralympic Games

[45] President Pavlopoulos congratulates Konstantinidis on second medal at Rio Paralympics

"Your new great Olympic distinction, in addition to being rare, is exceedingly indicative of your supreme abilities in both sport and life. Once again you have made us all proud. My warmest congratulations," the president said.

[46] PM congratulates Paralympic athletes in tweet

"The distinctions of Greek athletes at the Paralympics make us proud. Thank you! TeamHellas," the PM said.

Weather forecast

[47] Mostly fair on Wednesday

[48] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Defence battalions

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: (PM Alexis) Tsipras' mistake on debt freezing

ESTIA: Opportunist use of war reparations

ETHNOS: Changes in Greek police

IMERISIA: ECB directive on bad loans

KATHIMERINI: Premiere with changes at schools

NAFTEMPORIKI: More expensive Uniform Real Estate Ownership TAX (ENFIA)

RIZOSPASTIS: Pledges for permanent anti-popular measures

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