Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-07-12

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece-Euro-Solbes

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates-Thursday

[03] Weather Forecast-Thursday

[04] Alpha Bank-network expansion

[05] ASE-prospects-warning

[06] EAB - Privatisation - Eurofighter

[07] ASE-close

[08] Greece-budget surplus

[09] Loulis Group-Cyprus expansion

[10] Drowning-Statistics

[11] Greece-merchant marine

[12] Terrorism-Minute of silence

[13] Fires-Samos

[14] Tenor-Domingo-Athens

[15] Simitis-Tsohatzopoulos-Armaments

[16] FM Papandreou - Cyprus

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates-Wednesday

[18] ASE-close

[19] Pouliadis Group-new acquisition

[20] Weather Forecast-Wednesday

[21] Greece-euro conversion bill

[22] Bank of Piraeus-Albania

[23] Freighter - Crete - Interception

[24] Greece-government-employment

[25] Greece-government-employment

[01] Greece-Euro-Solbes

BRUSSELS (ANA-B.Demiris) - Greece is ready for introduction of the euro as a day-to-day currency on January 1, 2002 along with the euro zone's other members, EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes said on Wednesday.

Solbes was replying to a reporter's question at a news conference held in the Belgium capital on the EU's readiness for introduction of the single currency, which has not so far circulated although it is traded and used in paper transactions.

"Preparations begun in Greece on transfer to the euro are adequate and I am absolutely certain that on January 1, 2002 Greece will be suitably prepared," Solbes said.

He added that the government had briefed the EU's executive Commission and European Central Bank of the extent of its preparations before a summit of EU leaders in June approved the country's entry into the euro-zone on January 1, 2001, ahead of the euro's circulation.

Greece's belated entry as the twelfth member of the euro zone had not led to problems of readiness. Conversely, the country was at an advantage for the euro's introduction as it would avoid certain practical difficulties faced by the zone's older members, Solbes added.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates-Thursday

Following are indicative foreign exchange rates released by the central bank for the next working day.

Thursdays rates (buying)

Euro 334.036

U.S. dollar 351.991

German mark 170.790

[03] Weather Forecast-Thursday

Sunny weather in most parts of the country on Thursday, with cloud in northern Greece turning to rain and storms and then easing off.

[04] Alpha Bank-network expansion

Alpha Bank announced on Wednesday the launch of seven new branches around the country and said its network would exceed 500 by the end of the year.

The new branches are located in Karpenissi, Kea island, Malia, Spetses island, Tinos island, Hydra island and Athens and offer all the bank's products and services.

Following completion of a merger deal with Ionian Bank, Alpha Bank now is the second largest Greek financial institution with an asset share of 20 percent.

The group also holds a leading position in the domestic mutual funds, leasing and factoring sectors with a market share of 50 percent.

[05] ASE-prospects-warning

Dimitris Chalikias, a former Bank of Greece's governor, warned on Wednesday that unless measures were taken to restore confidence among small investors on the Athens Stock Exchange, the country's capital markets faced the danger of a capital flight to foreign markets.

Presenting his new book on "Greece in EMU - Challenges and necessary adjustments", Chalikias said that a gradual fall of the general index in the last few months could risk not only the inflow of foreign capital in the market but also the outflow of domestic capital to foreign markets.

"Greek banks don't even suspect the changes on the banking system following our participation in EMU," Chalikias said.

The former central banker said that economic benefits from the country's entry in the eurozone would not be automatic. "They will depend on the country's ability to exploit all advantages and minimise costs related to the fact that EMU participation means loss of basic policy tools," he said.

Professor Nikos Karamouzis, Eurobank's deputy chief executive, in his speech said that Greek banks faced six big challenges from the introduction of the euro currency: costs, technology, size, quality, network and effective crisis management.

"The hardest years are yet to come for Greek banks," Karamouzis said.

[06] EAB - Privatisation - Eurofighter

The government on Wednesday announced that binding offers for a partial privatisation of the state-run defence aviation industry (EAB) would be submitted in early September.

Following a high-level government meeting in Athens, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told reporters that a strategic investor with the ability to transfer know-how and hi-tech technology is sought for the Hellenic Aerospace Industry.

In a related development, Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos afterwards commented on the resurgent interest by a French consortium headed by aviation giant Dassault to sell the Hellenic Air Force with its ?Rafale" warplane despite a decision in January by Greece choosing the ?Eurofighter?, built by a four-nation European consortium.

"At the moment negotiations with the Eurofighters representatives are underway ... so that by next fall the contract is concluded... the Eurofighter affair is closed," the defence minister said.

[07] ASE-close

Equity prices resumed their downward trend on Wednesday, reversing an early advance, as investors preferred to take short-term profits on the Athens Stock Exchange.

The general index ended at 3,920.57 points, down 0.83 percent, off the day's highs of 3,979.73 and the day's lows of 3,910.41 points. Turnover was a low 60 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,173.57 points, off 0.84 percent and FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.29 percent to 565.04 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 740.20 points, losing 3.09 percent of its value.

[08] Greece-budget surplus

Budget revenues rose 12.3 percent in June compared with the same month last year, reflecting higher receipts from income taxes and VAT payments, Greece's finance ministry said on Wednesday.

The regular budget's revenues rose 12.6 percent in the first half of the year, sharply up from an official target of a 3.5 percent increase, to show a surplus of 451 billion drachmas.

Income tax revenues increased 16.4 percent in June, VAT revenues were 13 percent higher and revenues from other sources rose 21.6 percent in the month.

Tax agencies' revenues rose 17.9 percent in June and 17.2 percent in the January-June period. Customs revenues rose 5 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively, while VAT revenues increased by 5.5 percent and 13 percent over the same period.

[09] Loulis Group-Cyprus expansion

Loulis Group on Wednesday announced the purchase of a 5.0 percent stake in Mitsidis Flour Mills in Cyprus, a company seeking listing on the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

A company statement said that Mitsidis holds more than 50 percent of the Cypriot market with a turnover of 11 million euros and net profit of 1.2 million euros last year.

Loulis Group was founded in 1933.

[10] Drowning-Statistics

A total of 129 people have drowned in Greek beaches since the beginning of the year, most of them over the age of 50, merchant marine minister Christos Papoutsis said Monday.

Releasing harbour corps statistics, Papoutsis said of the 129 people who had drowned in Greece since the beginning of the year, 27 percent, or 33 people, were under the age of 50, while the overwhelming majority of 73 percent, or 89 people, were aged over 50.

[11] Greece-merchant marine

Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis will meet with the chairman of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Yiannis Lyras, and representatives of seamen union on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen the country's shipping sector.

"I will make it clear that competitiveness is not only the composition of a ship's crew. We have to offer solutions and move fast. Greek shipping needs solutions both in the international shipping and the domestic coastal shipping sectors to remain strong. We need to give equal opportunities to all. The dialogue will not last more than two months and it will be transparent and essential. The Greek flag will be more competitive and strong," Papoutsis said on Wednesday.

He announced that a Committee of Personalities, chaired by Vassilis Sarantitis, would meet for the first time on Friday.

"I expect the Committee to submit its proposals on the domestic coastal shipping sector in the next three months," Papoutsis said.

[12] Terrorism-Minute of silence

Public and government services throughout Greece and parliament observed a minute of silence at noon on Wednesday in memory of the victims of terrorism in Greece.

At the same time, local television and radio channels broadcast a brief public awareness message condemning terrorism and called on the people to help wipe out such phenomena.

[13] Fires-Samos

A huge forest fire on the holiday island of Samos has been contained, while only "one small front" on Mt. Karvouni continued to blaze, Fire Brigade chief Panayotis Fourlas said Wednesday. The fire chief said back-up firefighters and army units were continuing to arrive on Samos to help patrol the fire-devastated areas so as to be in a position to immediately extinguish new flare-ups due to the weather conditions.

Patrols were also to continue of all the extinguished fires throughout the country to prevent rekindling caused by rising temperatures and high winds that have been forecast for the next few days, according to a Ministerial Coordinating Committee on the fires.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Dutch Embassy in Athens denied that a "travel directive" had been issued by the Dutch government for tourists, calling on them to hasten their departure from Samos.

[14] Tenor-Domingo-Athens

World acclaimed Spanish tenor Placido Domingo will sing with soprano Anna Maria Martino at a concert at the Herod Atticus Theatre on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, he expressed his emotion at being able to sing under the Acropolis and said "I am looking forward with anxiety to the Greek public's formed views on my concert at the Herod Atticus Theatre tomorrow."

He also spoke of his visit to "the country of culture and arts which created excellent performers of melodrama such as Maria Kallas and Agni Baltsa", as well as important representatives of modern music trends such as Vangelis Papathanasiou.

[15] Simitis-Tsohatzopoulos-Armaments

Prime Minister Costas Simitis discussed the country's new armaments programme on Tuesday night with National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and other government officials.

Tsohatzopoulos told reporters afterwards that "the meeting with the prime minister, the national economy minister and the deputy finance minister had been scheduled to enable us to discuss the country's new armaments programme on whose directions we agreed upon so that we will be able to proceed with its implementation as soon as possible."

He said there would be further cooperation with the national economy ministry so as to reach a final form for the armaments programme in the next 10 days.

[16] FM Papandreou - Cyprus

NICOSIA (ANA) - Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou warned on Tuesday that the issue of the checkpoint illegally set up by the Turkish occupation forces at Strovilia, in the buffer zone in Cyprus, may develop into an obstacle for Turkey's European course and the development of its relations with Greece.

In a statement to the Cyprus daily newspaper "Politis", Papandreou did not rule out the possibility of Greece freezing dialogue with Turkey unless the status quo at Strovilia is restored, or of the suspension of Turkey's European course if Ankara continues the policy of provocative acts in Cyprus.

Papandreou said the Greek government should not react in a sentimental manner and pointed out that it should continue to support the process of solving the Cyprus issue under UN auspices.

Papandreou raised the issue of Strovilia with his counterparts at the European Union's Council of General Affairs on Monday and called on them to exercise their influence for the restoration of the status quo. He said the action of the Turks was unaceptable and did not contribute to the creation of a climate of good relations and dialogue.

[17] Foreign Exchange Rates-Wednesday

Following are indicative foreign exchange rates released by the central bank for the next working day.

Wednesdays rates (buying)

Euro 334.116

U.S. dollar 349.839

German mark 170.830

[18] ASE-close

Equity prices ended higher on Tuesday in what traders called a technical rebound of the market following a several-day decline on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Turnover, however, remained subdued reflecting investors' reluctance to take new positions in the market. Analysts noted that the recovery did not signal a change in the market's trend.

The general index ended 0.95 percent higher at 3,953.51 points, with turnover a low 72 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.07 percent to 2,191.56 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 1.22 percent to 572.42 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 1.16 percent higher at 763.83 points.

[19] Pouliadis Group-new acquisition

Pouliadis Group on Tuesday announced the purchase of a 35 percent stake in Prosystems' equity capital for an undisclosed sum, a move aiming to promote software applications in the hotel industry in the Greece.

Prosystems focuses in the hospitality sector and has developed hotel applications compatible with Windows NT, Windows 200, Linux and Unix systems.

Pouliadis Associates, a member of Pouliadis Group, has exclusive rights of Venus, a series of hotel programmes, with more than 100 medium and large installations.

The number of hotels operating in Greece currently totals 7,000, of which 700 have already installed computer automation. Pouliadis Group supplied 180 of them.

[20] Weather Forecast-Wednesday

Sunny weather in most parts of the country on Wednesday, with scattered cloud in northern and western Greece turning to storms in the evening.

[21] Greece-euro conversion bill

Greece's national economy ministry on Tuesday unveiled a draft bill for the introduction of the euro currency from January 1, 2001 in the country.

The euro currency will officially enter the lives of the Greek people from January 1, which means that pricing in products and services must be in euros. The obligation covers all financial institutions, public enterprises and organisations and companies from the private sector. Smaller enterprises, employing up to 10 workers, will have to adopt this measures from March 1, 2001.

The draft bill envisages that double pricing should cover securities' and banking transactions. "From January 1, 2001, all securities' transactions and settlement taking place in Greece's capital markets should be made in euros," it said.

The bill also envisages that companies could file their tax returns in euros by 2001, all state drachma debt should be converted to euros by December 31, 2000, the abolition of the drachma's foreign exchange fixing from January 1, 2001 and the creation of a "euro-observatory" to every prefect to monitor the smooth introduction of the single European currency and the legality and transparency of transactions.

"The next 18 months are crucial for the adjustment of the Greek economy in the environment of Economic and Monetary Union. The conversion to the euro is not just a technical adjustment. It is an opportunity to streamlining both Greek businesses and the economy," National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said.

[22] Bank of Piraeus-Albania

The Bank of Piraeus Group plans to expand its activities in Albania through increasing the branch network of its subsidiary Tirana Bank to 10 from four currently.

The bank plans to launch three new branches in the next few months.

It inaugurated its new branch in Girokaster last Friday, the first branch by a foreign bank to open in the south Albanian city.

The Bank of Piraeus has invested 10 million US dollars in Albania so far and Tirana Bank is the first foreign investment in the Albanian banking sector.

Tirana Bank reported its first profit year in 1999, with profits more than 500 million drachmas. It expects its profits to exceed 700 million drahcmas this year.

[23] Freighter - Crete - Interception

Thirty-four Indian nationals were discovered aboard a small freighter early Tuesday morning after the vessel was intercepted by the Greek coast guard south of Crete.

According to reports, the vessel identified as the ?Malama?, flying the Sao Tome and Principe flag was finally halted at around 4:30 a.m., and only after one of two Greek coast guard patrol boats fired warning shots over its bow.

[24] Greece-government-employment

The Greek government is discussing plans to boost employment in the country including measures to lower employers' contributions to social security funds for new workers and cutting overtime and excessive work.

The plans were discussed in a meeting between National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labour and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Tuesday.

The issue will be discussed in a cabinet committee meeting next Thursday.

After the meeting, Giannitsis told reporters that the government was acknowledging the need for "bold decisions" to be taken, supported by all parties - the state, employers and employees - following a social dialogue that would lead to a positive outcome in a battle against unemployment.

He noted that the number of unemployed people in Greece rose by 50,000 last year, while in the other European Union states that number fell by three million.

Giannitsis said that lower employers' contributions for new workers could lead to the creation of several thousand new jobs in the country.

He said that he did not intend to propose the abolition of a 2.0 percent limit on group lay-offs, although he left the door open to a new settlement on the issue.

[25] Greece-government-employment

contributions to social security funds for new workers and cutting overtime and excessive work.

The plans were discussed in a meeting between National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labour and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Tuesday.

The issue will be discussed in a cabinet committee meeting next Thursday.

After the meeting, Giannitsis told reporters that the government was acknowledging the need for "bold decisions" to be taken, supported by all parties - the state, employers and employees - following a social dialogue that would lead to a positive outcome in a battle against unemployment.

He noted that the number of unemployed people in Greece rose by 50,000 last year, while in the other European Union states that number fell by three million.

Giannitsis said that lower employers' contributions for new workers could lead to the creation of several thousand new jobs in the country.

He said that he did not intend to propose the abolition of a 2.0 percent limit on group lay-offs, although he left the door open to a new settlement on the issue.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article