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ECONOMY
-Greece ranks second as eurozone’s most expensive country for fuel, according to Eurostat‘s latest report. Last week, the average price of unleaded gasoline in Greece stood at 1.934 euros, compared to the European average of 1.759 euros.
-French banking group Societe Generale considers it possible that S&P Global Ratings will upgrade the Greek economy on April 19 and recommends a long position in Greek bonds against Belgian ones.
-Greece is introducing two new types of work visas for non-EU nationals: TalentVisa and TechVisa aiming to attract new graduates to Greece, AMNA reported.
-The Digital Work Card will be fully implemented in the industry and retail sectors as of July 1, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security said on Monday.
-The trade deficit recorded an 18.4% jump during the first two months of 2024 on an annual basis, the Greek Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed. Imports decreased by 1.1%, while exports fell 11.4%.
SHIPPING
The Hellenic Ports Association and the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Naftemporiki reported. The two bodies agreed to have joint action to deal with problems related to infrastructure, security and the operation of ports.
REAL ESTATE
-In 2023 real estate prices in Greece increased by 13.4% on an annual basis compared to 11.9% in 2022.
-Another seven General Urban Plans (GUP) for towns and town units were published in the Government Gazette last week, specifying land use and terms and restrictions of construction. The plans relate to the following areas: Thessaloniki; Pefka neighborhood in Neapoli-Sykies (Thessaloniki); Oreokastro (Thessaloniki); Nea Palatia, Skala Oropou, Sykamino, Halkoutsi and Oropos in Oropos Valley (Attica); Lykovrisi (Attica); the Lavreotiki area (Attica); and Agios Konstantinos (Attica).
TOURISM
-Over 15,000 foreign visitors traveled to Crete during the last week of March, including those coming for Catholic Easter celebrations and vacations, To Vima reported.
-Greece’s new beach law bans sunbeds on 70% of beach, in an attempt to prevent overcrowding. In protected areas, 85% of beach space needs to be clear of sunbeds. The new law also states that at least half of the beaches remain open to the public.
-Greece’s Tourism Ministry sealed the last two floors and the roof-bar on the top of the Coco-Mat hotel in central Athens last Friday. The hotel that had been declared illegal for exceeding the height of 24 meters and for hiding the view to the Acropolis.
