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Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | ||
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-05-22Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek budget deficit significantly down in Jan-AprAMNA / The Greek budget deficit fell to 9.145 billion euros in the January-April period, from a budget target of 11.009 billion euros, while the primary deficit shrank to 1.726 billion euros in the four-month period, from a budget target of 3.262 billion euros, the finance ministry announced on Tuesday.In an announcement, the ministry said net budget revenues totaled 16.146 billion euros, slightly down from a budget target of 16.640 billion euros. Regular budget revenues totaled 14.655 billion euros in the January-April period, down from a budget target of 14.989 billion euros, reflecting lower VAT revenues as a result of a shrinking domestic demand and to a shortfall in non-tax revenue. The Public Investments Programme's revenues totaled 1.491 billion euros, down from 1.652 billion euros as envisaged in the supplementary funds. amna State budget spending totaled 25.291 billion euros, down from a budget target of 27.650 billion euros, reflecting lower primary spending, lower defense spending and lower spending on interest. The Public Investments Programme's spending also eased to 956 million euros in the January-April period, from a budget target of 1.885 billion euros. www.amna.gr Budget spending, however, grew by 2.814 billion euros in April, compared with the same month last year, reflecting increased payments on interest (by 3.6 bln euros) as part of a PSI programme; increased payments on social insurance, healthcare and social protection (by 1.2 bln euros), increased payments on agriculture subsidies (by 76 million euros) and increased payments to the European Union (by 112 million euros).amna [02] Stocks end 1.58 pct lowerAMNA / Stocks continued their decline to 22-year lows at the Athens Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with market sentiment undermined by an OECD forecast of yet more recession in 2013 in the country.The composite index of the market fell 1.58 pct to end at 535.96 points, off the day's lows of 528.49 points. Turnover remained a low 42.800 million euros. The Big Cap index fell 1.50 pct, the Mid Cap index dropped 2.31 pct and the Small Cap index eased 0.03 pct. The Telecoms (0.63 pct) and Travel (0.13 pct) sectors were the only ones to end higher, while Commerce (4.91 pct), Oil (4.79 pct) and Personal Products (3.23 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. amna Alpha Bank (2.92 pct), Eurobank (1.77 pct) and Piraeus Bank (0.92 pct) were gainers among blue chip stocks, while Motor Oil (8.63 pct), Cyprus Popular Bank (5.98 pct) and Folli Follie (4.94 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 62 to 47 with another 22 issues unchanged. amna [03] Pilot program for no-visa access to islands for Turkish visitorsAMNA / Tourists from Turkey will soon be able to visit Greece without a relevant visa issued at Greek consulates, following a decision by the citizen's protection ministry to allow visa issuance at ports, it was announced on Tuesday.A pilot programme will soon be in effect on the eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos, Hios, Samos, Rhodes and Kos and will be applicable for Turkish tourists wishing to visit one of those island destinations for no more than 15 days. amna The new regime, combined with the abolition of the visa requirement for Turkish nationals that are members of associations, sports clubs and young people under the age of 18 is expected to boost the number of visitors from the neighbouring country to the islands, authorities said.www.amna.gr Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |