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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-03-30Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Economy in progress course in mid 2013AMNA--Prime minister Lucas Papademos predicted that in mid-2013 the Greek economy will return to a development track and an increase in employment, which will have beneficial effects for the social security funds, speaking in parliament on Friday in response to a current question submitted by Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis.Papademos said that the social security system will be fortified over the next three year with 41 billion euros, but the gradual reduction of its deficits will be completed in the next decade, after the unification of the social security funds. amna Karatzaferis had called the situation in the social security system a "slow-burning bomb" and proposed that a special consumption tax be imposed, that will be channeled to the social security system. [02] Education Min: I will not back down one stepAMNA--"� will not back down one step. Let a teacher follow a different way, given that the previous approach did not work," Education Minister Giorgios Babiniotis, a university professor himself, said on Friday, speaking to private TV station MEGA, regarding the tension in the past few days over the implementation of the new law on Higher Education law and the funding of universities. amnaBabiniotis rejected speculation that he is "at war" with his predecessor in the post, adding that former Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou and he have cooperated fruitfully in the past on the drafting of the new law, and underlined that the specific law will be carried out, but with a different approach. [03] Withdrawal of article on over-indebted householdsAMNA--Labour Minister Giorgos Koutroumanis on Thursday withdrew an article with favourable settlements for overextended households that was included in a draft law on the social insurance fund IKA operation up for approval in parliament. amnaKoutroumanis stated that his move was in response to an ongoing consultation with the European Central Bank (ECB) and assured that the settlement will be reintroduced for approval next week as soon as the consultations are completed. [04] Report on Greek Internet economy unveiledAMNA--Internet economy in Greece trails far behind other European countries but through well-targeted initiatives by the public and private sector it could contribute to the economic growth and create new job positions in the future, according to a report made public on Thursday prepared by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on behalf and with the support of Google.The report, unveiled during a special event in Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) in the presence of politicians and businessmen, attempted for the first time to identify the value of the Internet economy in Greece. The report revealed that the Greek Internet economy contributed roughly 2.7 billion euro in 2010 representing 1.2 pct of the Greek GDP, much lower than the EU average of 3.8 pct of the GDP or Turkey's 1.7 pct. According to the report, the economic crisis has an impact on the Internet sector slowing down its growth. It estimated that the domestic Internet economy will increase with an annual rate of 6 pct reaching 3.6 billion euro or 1.6 pct of the GDP in 2015. However, according to a more optimistic scenario, the average annual growth could reach 19 pct in 2015, corresponding to 2.9 pct of the GDP (an additional 2 billion euros), if measures are adopted to support the sector of digital economy. [05] Sweep operation against illegal migrationAMNA--Police on Thursday, took in for questioning 415 persons in wider Athens area during a major police 'sweep' operation in a crackdown on illegal immigration, illicit trade and drug trafficking.Fifteen individuals were arrested, one for robbery, four for drug dealing, three for burglary and seven for violation of the migration law. amna An illegal migrant attacked a police officer during a police check on Thursday evening and bit off the latter's finger. The uprecedented incident occurred in the centre of Piraeus during a major police 'sweep' operation to crack down on illegal immigration. amna The injured policeman was rushed to hospital, while the migrant was arrested. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |