Greek Daily News 15/05/2024

ECONOMY

-Greece’s GDP is expected to increase from 2.0% in 2023 to 2.3% in 2024 and 2.6% in 2025, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said in a report on Wednesday.

-The annual inflation rate in Greece edged lower to 3.1% in April of 2024 from 3.2% in the previous month, amid a slowdown in prices of clothing & footwear (4% vs 5.8% in March), health (3.6% vs 4.4%), recreation & culture (2.1% vs 3.3%), and hotels, cafés & restaurants (5.1% vs 6.4%).

-The average price of the basket in online consumer shopping during the Easter period (21/4-5/5/2024) reached 63 euros, up 7.95% on an annual basis, Skroutz Marketplace online consumer shopping data showed.

SHIPPING

-The total capitalization of the 26 Greek shipping companies listed on the US stock exchange amounted to 15.28 billion dollars on May 10, 2024 compared to 9.6 billion dollars in mid-June 2023, up almost 60% on an annual basis, according to an analysis conducted by “Naftemporiki.”

TOURISM

-Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni told the first meeting of the Wine Tourism Council that the ministry is working systematically for the promotion of the advantages of wine tourism. At the moment, the country has 1,750 wineries, while those with a visitor mark amount to 100.

-Greece was named the winner for the 3rd consecutive year in the category “Best Historical Attractions, International” at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2024 organized by “Global Traveler” magazine. Santorini was ranked 1st in the “Best Island in Europe” category for the 11th consecutive year.

-Greece’s Council of State gave the green light for the operation of mini buses especially on the islands, Parapolitika reported.

CULTURE

-The International Book Fair of Thessaloniki, celebrating 20 years of operation this year, will take place from May 16 to May 19 at the premises of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF)-HELEXPO.

-A delegation of Greek officials arrived in Cannes this week to announce the launch of a new government body, Creative Greece, that will oversee all audiovisual production in the Mediterranean . They’ll also look to reassure foreign producers and investors that the country’s wildly successful cash-back program remains on track.

GENERAL

A total of 556 firefighters from 12 countries will be strategically pre-positioned across key locations in European countries this summer, including Greece, ready to help local fire brigades.