Greek Daily News 16/05/2024

ECONOMY

-Greece’s economic growth rate will reach 2.2% this year and 2.3% in 2025, the European Commission said on Wednesday in its “Spring 2024 Economic Forecast” report. Harmonised inflation is estimated to drop to 2.1% next year.

-The harmonization of national systems for the guarantee of bank deposits must move forward, Bank of Greece (BoG) Governor Yannis Stournaras told the conference “Banking Resolution at Ten: Experiences and Open Issues” on Wednesday.

-The execution of the state budget shows a primary surplus of 3.25 billion euros in the first quarter of 2024 (January-April), against a primary surplus target of 631 million euros and the primary surplus of 2.44 billion euros achieved in the same period in 2023, the National Economy and Finance Ministry said.

-The prices in major supermarket chains remained almost unchanged in April 2024, compared to the same month a year ago, according to a survey conducted by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA).

REAL ESTATE

-Athens is now one of the five most expensive cities in Greece to buy a property as regards the purchasing power of Greek households, Kathimerini reported. It takes 11 years for a worker with an average salary to acquire a 20- or 30-year-old apartment of 60 square meters, an analysis by Cerved Property Services, combining data from Ergani and UBS, reveals.

-In the latest findings from Protio’s apartment investment data, Amerikis Square in Athens emerges as the standout performer in real estate for the first quarter of 2024, boasting a 6.9% yield, To Vima reported.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Lydia Airport, the first privately owned aerodrome for general aviation in Greece was founded on Tuesday near Kavala, in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace region, in the presence of Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christina Alexopoulou.

SHIPPING

Only 800 out of 5,500 ships have a Greek flag and this must change, Haris Vafias told the second panel of the 8th Naftemporiki Conference with the participation of Greek shipowners. Captain Panagiotis Tsakos stressed the need to attract more people to maritime profession.

TOURISM