Athens.- ANA-MPA

The Greek Economy ministry and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are in advanced talks to expand cooperation in funding investment plans and planning new development interventions and tools, Economy Alternate Minister Alexis Charitsis said on Thursday.

Addressing a seminar organized by the ministry and EIB in Athens, Charitsis said talks are focusing on the energy sector – the main priority in development planning for the Greek government.

“We steadily attract significant private investments. A total of 11 investments worth 1.1 billion euros – submitted to Enterprise Greece – are in advanced stages so far, a sign that the climate is changing and confidence in the Greek economy’s prospects are restored,” Charitsis said.

He underlined that the Economy ministry was also giving a priority to actions to deal with a disinvestment trend by offering fundamental liquidity in the economy and stressed that the EIB has been a valuable support in this effort.

Eurobank will fund all business plans with good prospects         

Eurobank is committed in funding business plans with good prospects, Fokion Karavias, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer said during a series of meetings in Thessaly.

“I have repeatedly pledged that there is no case that a solid business plan, based on a good idea, a realistic plan with good prospects, to come to use and we will not find a way to fund it,” Karavias said, adding: “We have planned an integrated package of services for the people in the primary sector, adjusted to the needs of the future. This package covers the most basic banking needs of farmers, consultancy services and participation in all subsidized programs for new farmers”.

The Greek banker, commenting on economic developments and talks to conclude a second review of the Greek program, said: “no-one ignores difficulties, but experience has shown that a delay is burdening the country and the economy. We blame ourselves and the efforts made by the Greek society if we stop now. There are two serious preconditions to return to a sustainable growth course. These are: first, a mixture of economic policy focusing more on development, lowering tax burden for enterprises, implementing a privatization program for 2017 and second, safeguarding on behalf of the banking system of funding the real economy and managing non-performing loans.

Eurobank’s CEO reassured their customers in the region that the bank’s goal was the maximum contribution and the leading role in funding economic growth to a sustainable growth model, supporting society and customers with respect to their needs, offering solutions to their problems, and supporting the bank’s workers.

Nights spent in Thessaloniki hotels up 5.56 pct

The number of nights spent in the hotels of Thessaloniki rose 5.56 pct to 2,309,617 in 2016 from 2,187,932 the previous year, according to Thessaloniki Hoteliers Union.

The figures refer to trips for business and leisure reasons.

More specifically, the stays of Greek visitors increased 6.83 pct to 1,226,544 and the number of foreign visitors increased 4.16 percent to 1,083,073 stays.

Greeks rank first, up 6.83 pct, followed by Cypriots, up 14.95 pct (141,082), Turks, up 4 pct (81,947) and the Americans, up 0,47 pct, (73,199).

Rhodes to welcome first tourists on March 29

British tourists will be the first ones to arrive on the island of Rhodes for 2017 tourist season. The tourists will land at Rhodes airport on March 29 with three flights carrying 300 passengers.

The first charter flight by EasyJet will land at Diagoras airport at 11.35 followed by a Thomson charter flight expected to land at 13:00 both from Gatwick airport, London. Minutes after another Thomson charter flight will bring tourists from Manchester.

The first flight from Scandinavia will be carried by Primavera airline with tourists from Finland landing on Rhodes on Saturday 1 April.

The flights to Rhodes will be launched earlier this year due to the fact that the Catholic and Orthodox Easter coincide this year.