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ECONOMY
-Greece imported 128,301 metric tons of Russian LNG in the first two months of this year (there were no flows in March and April), from 72,452 metric tons in the first four months of 2023 (it received cargoes only in February), Naftemporiki reported.
-The “digital nomads” ranked Greece 6th worldwide for “cyber security” , 35th for “social security”, 42nd for “economic security”, and 46th for “digital and physical infrastructure” according to the Global Remote Work Index 2023, by NordLayer, which evaluates the potential of 108 countries to qualify as top remote work destinations.
BUSINESS
-Seven out of 10 companies in Greece have vacant IT specialist positions, as per a recent Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) survey on digital transformation. The graduation rate from IT and computer engineering schools has been 40-63%, while the IT market needs 7,500 more graduates than those graduating each year.
-Alternate Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis announced the launch of the new Entrepreneurship Fund, TEPIX III, with a budget of 500 million euros. It is expected that loans amounting to 2.2 billion euros will be made available to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
SHIPPING
Greek shipowners have returned to the shipyards after a short break due to holidays in various parts of the world, turning their attention to the tanker market, Naftemporiki reported.
REAL ESTATE
Apartment prices grew by 10.4%, on average, in the first quarter of 2024, on an annual basis, a report by the Bank of Greece revealed on Tuesday. Based on revised data, for 2023 the average annual rate of increase in prices for apartments was 13.8% compared to an increase of 11.9% in 2022. The price increase in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023 was 9.4% in Athens, 12.2% in Thessaloniki, 10.3% in other large cities and 12.1% in the other regions of the country.
TOURISM
-The Ministry of Digital Governance and the Tourism Ministry will present next week an AI application for tourists, informing them about everything they need in Greece.
-Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti, a keynote speaker at the Attica Green Expo 2024, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of promoting the sustainability of destinations throughout the year, beyond the usual tourist peak months.
-Attica’s Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias attended the ITB China 2024 Conference in Shanghai from May 27 to 29, reaching agreements with Chinese participants in the travel-related meeting, AMNA reported.
-The quality of bathing water in 95.8% of bathing sites in Greece was of excellent quality, according to figures released by the European Environmental Agency and the European Commission on the state of Europe’s bathing waters in 2023, which were updated on Tuesday.
-French national carrier Air France will launch direct flights from Paris to Peloponnese’s Kalamata on July 6, reflecting the high interest of French travelers in one of the most beautiful coastal cities of Greece.
GENERAL
Athens’ Metro Line 1 and the Tram will operate only for football fans with ticket to attend the Europe Conference League final on Wednesday, May 29 and thus on specific hours. There will also be changes in the routes of some buses and trolley buses on May 29-30, 2024, according to an announcement by Greek Police.
