Greek daily news

Greek Daily News 08/02/2024

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ECONOMY

– Greece’s trade deficit decreased by 11.3% in December 2023 reaching 2.605 billion euros and by 20% in 2023 totaling 31.046 billion euros, the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) said on Wednesday. The value of imports stood at 6.307 billion euros in December 2023, down 17.7% on an annual basis. The value of exports totaled 3.702 billion euros in December 2023, down 21.7% from December 2022.

-The value of transactions with plastic money reached 62 billion euros last year in Greece, recording an increase of 15% compared to 2022, Kathimerini reported. Plastic money accounts for 40% of consumer spending, data from the Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) showed.

CAPITAL MARKET

The debut of the Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” on the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday came with a rise that was approximately at 15%, as the new share closed its first trading at 9.40 euros, with AIA, the operator of the airport, showing capitalization of €2.8 billion. The Athens International Airport’s listing is the largest of the last 18 years.

GENERAL

Athens taxi drivers will launch a 48-hour strike on February 27-28, 2024, according to their union SATA which is expressing its concerns about the government’s economic policies, alleging that they adversely affect individual entrepreneurship in the country.

TOURISM

The Cycladic islands of Sifnos, Serifos and Folegandros, are included in the short list of the 11 most endangered monuments and cultural heritage sites in Europe for 2024, amid uncontrolled construction and over-tourism, according to the pan-European NGO Europa Nostra and the Institute of the European Investment Bank.