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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-02-02

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

Tuesday February 2, 2016

CONTENTS

  • [01] Meetings between institution mission heads and ministers on Tuesday change time
  • [02] Government to extend ban on NPLs sale if no deal is achieved with institutions by Feb. 15
  • [03] Fiscal measures and social security to be discussed this week with institutions
  • [04] Gov't coming to new round of talks with institutions with 'constructive attitude', sources say
  • [05] PM Tsipras: Only if we join forces can we succeed
  • [06] Handling of refugee flows in Greece improved since November, EU Migration Commissioner says, meeting PM
  • [07] PM Tsipras to participate in "Supporting Syria and the Region" conference on Feb.4
  • [08] PM Tsipras to discuss with PASOK leader Gennimata the developments on the refugees issue
  • [09] FM Kotzias to visit Baku, Amsterdam and Tehran this week
  • [10] Government to call tender for metro extension in next 4-5 months, Transport Min Spirtzis says
  • [11] Refugee camps to be open but guarded, Alternate Migration Min Mouzalas says
  • [12] Greek Foreign ministry condemns attacks in Syria, Nigeria
  • [13] Refugee issue a national issue, Alt Migration Min Mouzalas says after meeting ND leader Mitsotakis
  • [14] ND leader pledges to do all he can to help with refugee crisis
  • [15] Greece, Turkey discuss readmission of refugees, trafficking in joint working group
  • [16] Attica farmers block Attiki Odos junction to Athens international airport
  • [17] Farmers to blockade national highways in western Greece on Monday evening
  • [18] Farmers blockade customs at Turkish border in Evros, prevent trucks going through
  • [19] Greek PMI almost unchanged at 50 points in Jan
  • [20] Greek economic sentiment index up to 91.6 points in Jan
  • [21] Greek stocks ended slightly higher in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, in thin trading conditions as investors remained on the sidelines
  • [22] Solvency II enhances credibility of insurance market in Greece
  • [23] ADEX closing report
  • [24] Greek bond market closing report
  • [25] Intrasoft Intl signs contract with bank in Tanzania
  • [26] Pensioner, fisherman and U.S. actress nominated by Greece for Nobel Peace Prize
  • [27] Iraqi national arrested at Athens Airport with passport stolen by ISIS
  • [28] At least 6,000 refugees to arrive at Piraeus port on Monday
  • [29] Are you a talent in science communication? Apply to FameLab!
  • [30] No trains and urban railway on Thursday
  • [31] Passengers can use cheaper transport tickets until end of April
  • [32] Athens Half Marathon pushed up to March 20
  • [33] New app uncovers Thessaloniki's Jewish heritage
  • [34] Weather Forecast
  • [35] Athens News Headlines at a glance Politics

  • [01] Meetings between institution mission heads and ministers on Tuesday change time

    The planned meetings between Greek ministers and officials with the heads of the institutions' missions in Athens on Tuesday were rescheduled, it was announced on Monday.

    The first meeting at 11.00 (local time) will be with Labour Minister George Katrougalos instead of Alternate Administrative Reform Minister Christoforos Vernardakis. It is not yet known when Vernardakis' meeting will be held.

    Talks with representatives of Greece's central bank will take place at 15.00, as previously announced, while the meeting with Economy, Development and Tourism Minister George Stathakis to discuss non-performing loans has been changed from 17.00 to 19.00.

    [02] Government to extend ban on NPLs sale if no deal is achieved with institutions by Feb. 15

    The Greek government will extend the current ban on selling non-performing loans (NPLs) if no agreement is achieved with the country's lenders by February 15, a senior government official said on Monday, the first day of negotiations with the heads of the institutions' mission in Athens.

    Based on a previous agreement, the government had allowed the transfer of NPLs of large businesses, while it had suspended until Feb. 15 the transfer of NPLs which mortgage the main residence, of consumer loans and of small and medium-sized businesses.

    The same official said that in the first ongoing meeting between ministers and the institutions the two sides are discussing the time table and agenda of the negotiations. After this meeting, the heads of the lenders' mission will meet with Alternate Finance Minister Tryfon Alexiadis and the General Secretary for Public Revenues Giorgos Pitsilis.

    The first phase of the negotiations is expected to conclude on Friday, when the institutions' mission will leave Athens and they are expected to return after 7-10 days.

    [03] Fiscal measures and social security to be discussed this week with institutions

    Fiscal issues and reforms on social security will be the topics discussed between the Greek government and the heads of the institution's mission during their initial visit to Athens this week, a government source said on Monday after a meeting between the two sides.

    If they achieve an agreement on these issues, then the other pending topics will also be discussed, the same source said. The heads of the mission met with Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and the ministry's top officials.

    "There was a well-intended mood in the talks on the side of our lenders," the source said, adding that the representative of the IMF noted that numbers need to add up concerning the fiscal and other targets.

    It also said that the aim is to table a taxation and social security reform bill in parliament simultaneously, which is why the government intends to present very soon its proposal for a taxation plan to the institutions.

    The first phase of the negotiations is expected to conclude on Friday, when the institutions' mission will leave Athens and they are expected to return after 7-10 days and stay for two weeks, as the aim is to achieve a deal by the end of this month, the source said.

    [04] Gov't coming to new round of talks with institutions with 'constructive attitude', sources say

    The government is open to reaching an understanding and cooperation, and is coming to the new round of talks with the representatives of the institutions with a constructive attitude, government sources said on Monday.

    Regarding the proposed reforms to Greece's pension system, the sources repeated the government's earlier position stating that there can be no further pension cuts. They noted that the government has already worked out alternative plans for avoiding cuts, which will be presented if necessary.

    They referred to the time frame outlined by Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos with regard to the length of the negotiations on reviewing Greece's programme.

    [05] PM Tsipras: Only if we join forces can we succeed

    "I deeply believe that the only way to overcome the crisis is to support those that are weakest and at the same time give the chance to restart the economy. We can only succeed if we join forces," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday said in his address at the presentation of the Act4Greece Program of the National Bank of Greece (NBG).

    "The government, the public and the private sector, as well as other entities, should help the country get out of the crisis with society remaining unwounded," Tsipras stated, adding that it is necessary to unite forces and give banks the opportunity to once again play their social and economic role. Tsipras also stressed the need for consolidation in the banking system in order to help end the crisis by improving liquidity and financing for startups. He noted that the completion of the recapitalisation process opens the way for the return of deposits and the efficient management of their portfolios, and referred to the importance of a positive program review that will pave the way for solving the Gordian knot, which is debt relief.

    Tsipras underlined that the government is proceeding with the creation of a stable tax system, introducing and promoting electronic transactions, improving the efficiency of public administration, simplifying licensing procedures, and improving procedures for public procurement. He also referred to the national productive reconstruction plan that will be presented in the spring and noted that focus will be given on halting the divestment climate that led to a deep recession in previous years.

    Talking about the Act4Greece programme, he said this was a way to bring together innovation and social and developmental banking in order to give start-ups access to alternative forms of financing. Noting that the crisis had begun in the banking sector, Tsipras said that alternative forms of financing the economy that were tried and tested abroad acted as a model for action to improve liquidity and restart Greece's economy.

    Tsipras analysed the impact of the economic crisis, as well as the action taken by the government to address the humanitarian crisis this had caused, noting that unemployment had dropped by 1.5 pct in the last year and assistance in the form of rent, food and energy benefits had been given out. He noted that action to combat poverty was also a lever for economic growth and helped create new jobs.

    A necessary condition for the recovery of the banking sector and release of funds to the real economy was a good and prompt conclusion of the first review of Greece's economic programme, he added.

    [06] Handling of refugee flows in Greece improved since November, EU Migration Commissioner says, meeting PM

    Greece had accelerated the pace and its handling of refugee flows had greatly improved since last November, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos conceded on Monday, arriving for a meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens.

    Receiving Avramopoulos, Tsipras noted that Greece was not in the 'dock', was meeting its obligations and demanding that others also take on their share of responsibility. He briefed the commissioner on the decisions taken at last Saturday's interministerial committee for speeding up action on tackling the refugees problem, noting that a lot of progress had been made since November, the period on which a recent negative Commission report on Greece was based. Among others, Tsipras pointed out that in November, Greece had just emerged from an election process and the new government was only just then taking its first steps.

    Avramopoulos said the government's decision to actively involve the armed forces in setting up hotspots is a very important development and that the European Commission and its President Jean-Claude Juncker have already been informed about it. He also noted that things in Greece were changing for the better since the report in November.

    "As you rightly said, what the country is called to do at this time is very important but everyone must know that Greece is under tremendous pressure and that things are not easy," the Commissioner added.

    [07] PM Tsipras to participate in "Supporting Syria and the Region" conference on Feb.4

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will participate in the conference "Supporting Syria and the Region" that will be held on February 4, in London.

    Greece's participation is within the context of the standing initiative for the promotion of the humanitarian dimension of the refugees issue.

    "Greece actively supports every initiative for the support of the people that suffer in Syria and its neighouring countries as well as in Europe at working, education and social care level," according to an announcement issued by prime minister office.

    The Greek premier will be accompanied by State Minister Nikos Pappas and Alternate Foreign Minister for European Issues Nikos Xydakis.

    [08] PM Tsipras to discuss with PASOK leader Gennimata the developments on the refugees issue

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet on Tuesday at 13:00 with PASOK and Democratic Alliance leader Fofi Gennimata at the Maximos mansion.

    According to a PASOK announcement the meeting is held following Gennimata's initiative in order to discuss with the prime minister the latest developments on the refugees' issue.

    [09] FM Kotzias to visit Baku, Amsterdam and Tehran this week

    Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will travel to Baku for an official visit on Tuesday at the invitation of his counterpart the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, the ministry said.

    Kotzias will have a one-on-one meeting with Azeri Foreign Minister Mammadyarov, followed by expanded talks between the two countries' delegation. Following the meetings, the two ministers will hold a joint press conference.

    On Wednesday (Feb. 3) Kotzias will be received by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and Speaker of Parliament Ogtay Asadov, and he will meet with the Greek-Azeri parliamentary friendship group. The minister will also meet with the Energy Minister and Chairperson of the Greece-Azerbaijan Joint Interministerial Committee, Natig Aliyev.

    Upon completion of his visit to Azerbaijan, Kotzias will travel to Amsterdam, where he will participate in the informal biannual "Gymnich" meeting of EU member-state Foreign Ministers, which is taking place on Friday and Saturday, 5 and 6 February.

    The first day of the meeting will focus on the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy issues and the recent developments in Iran, particularly following the initiation of the implementation of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme.

    On Saturday, 6 February, Kotzias will present to the Ministerial meeting - also to be attended by the Foreign Ministers of candidate countries for EU membership - the systematic efforts being made by Greece to manage the unprecedented mass refugee and migrant influxes.

    Finally, on Sunday (Feb. 7) the minister will travel to Tehran, accompanying Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on his official visit.

    [10] Government to call tender for metro extension in next 4-5 months, Transport Min Spirtzis says

    The government will call a tender for the extension of line 4 of the Athens metro in the next four or five months, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Minister Christos Spirtzis said on Monday.

    He added that negotiations are currently being carried out with the European Investment Bank so that the tender for the second part of the project is also called in 2016.

    The government is struggling, as he said, so that all projects included in NSRF have been completed by the end of 2017. One of these projects is the Thessaloniki metro.

    Spirtzis stressed the importance of a big infrastructure project in dealing with the social security issue and recording growth, adding however that some members of the opposition parties do not wish so.

    [11] Refugee camps to be open but guarded, Alternate Migration Min Mouzalas says

    The refugee camps in Sindos and Schisto that the army will provide for the creation of relocation centres will be open but guarded, Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas on Monday said in statements to SKAI TV.

    The two refugee camps will have a total capacity of 8,000 persons.

    Mouzalas added that the works for the construction of hotspots on the islands of Samos, Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Leros are being accelerated with the assistance of the army.

    Refugees and migrants will be separated at these hotspots, he noted adding that they will stay there for 48 hours and then they will be transferred to the mainland.

    According to Mouzalas, refugees constituted a 75-80 percent of the incomers, but as of December they have been reduced to 45-55 percent.

    [12] Greek Foreign ministry condemns attacks in Syria, Nigeria

    The Greek Foreign ministry in a message posted on Twitter on Monday condemned the terror attacks in Syria, Nigeria.

    "Triple bombing in Damascus: Syria and the entire region keep bleeding. Int'l community has to stop this chaos. No excuses left," according to the message.

    "Terrorists commit unspeakable crimes against families and children, our thoughts are with those innocent souls who cry out for justice," it added.

    [13] Refugee issue a national issue, Alt Migration Min Mouzalas says after meeting ND leader Mitsotakis

    New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis met on Monday with Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas to discuss the refugee crisis.

    Mouzalas said after the meeting that "there was convergence of views on the issue that the refugees problem is a national issue and that we must act together to confront the problem".

    He pointed out that there were some differences but that "climate and effort for convergence prevailed and the criticism was within the boundaries of actual dignity that must exist in such matters. The message is that the refugee issue is a national issue," said Mouzalas.

    According to sources, Mitsotakis claimed that the issue has national dimensions and criticised the government for the delays. The meeting was held in Mitsotakis' initiative within the framework of a series of broader actions that will culminate with his intervention at the European People's Party meeting in Brussels in mid-February.

    ND leader's aim is the threat on Greece's exit from the Schengen Treaty to not become reality and Greece's commitments to its EU partners to be met immediately.

    [14] ND leader pledges to do all he can to help with refugee crisis

    Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday he is committed in doing everything he can to make the problem of migration manageable and avoid any possibility of Greece being pushed out of the Schengen zone.

    In a statement issued after his meeting with Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas earlier in the day, Mitsotakis said ministries have to coordinate more effectively to deal with the problem and urged Europe to help.

    He accused the government of underestimating the intensity, scale and complexity of the issue for many months and showing "slow reflexes", but added that Europe is also to blame for the slow response.

    "It is clear that we need a much better coordination between all the ministries involved. Unfortunately, the European Union also showed great delay in dealing with the problem. But the challenge is common," the leader of New Democracy noted, adding that Greece expects the strengthening of Frontex's units and the faster resettlement of refugees in other member states.

    [15] Greece, Turkey discuss readmission of refugees, trafficking in joint working group

    The ways to strengthen Greek -Turkish cooperation to reduce refugee flows and fighting human trafficking rings were discussed at the second meeting of the Greek-Turkish Joint Working Group which convened at the foreign ministry on Monday.

    According to the ministry, emphasis was put on the need to implement the bilateral readmission protocol as well as the measures agreed upon between the EU and Turkey for effectively reducing the unprecedented refugee and migration flows.

    [16] Attica farmers block Attiki Odos junction to Athens international airport

    Attica-area farmers with a few dozen tractors blocked the Markopoulos junction on Attiki Odos, the highway leading to Athens international 'Eleftherios Venizelos' airport, on Monday evening. There is currently heavy traffic on all side roads leading to the airport, while the farmers have not informed the traffic police how long they intend to keep the junction closed at this time.

    [17] Farmers to blockade national highways in western Greece on Monday evening

    Farmers in Kefalovryso, western Greece intend to close the national highway from Antirrio to Ioannina for six hours on Monday, starting at 17:00 in the afternoon, while other groups also blocked the road at various junctions along its route, cutting off access to northwestern Greek regions like Preveza and Ioannina.

    In Aigialeia, there are plans to close the Patras-Athens national highway from 18:00 until 22:00, while in Achaia, farmers intend to close the Patras-Pyrgos road from 18:00 until 21:00.

    [18] Farmers blockade customs at Turkish border in Evros, prevent trucks going through

    Farmers and livestock breeders in Evros on Monday set up an indefinite blockade at the Kipi customs on the northeastern Greek border with Turkey, preventing all trucks from going through after 11:00 in the morning. They are adamant that the government must withdraw its proposed legislation for reforming their pension system and say they will escalate their protests if their demand is not met.

    Authorities in Turkey were warned about the planned blockade and have stopped trucks and other heavy vehicles from crossing the border into Greece, in order to avoid chaos at the Greek customs. For the truck drivers stuck at Kipi as a result of the blockade, farmers have supplied them with food and water for the duration of their stay.

    Farmers also blocked roads in other locations in Evros between noon and 14:00 in the afternoon, while further blockades are planned from 17:00 until 21:00. Farmer trade unionists said that the duration of closures will gradually increase, leading up to an indefinite closure of two junctions at Orestiada and Didimotichos in the coming days. They note that closing the southern Didimotichos junction essentially cuts off the road link between Greece and Turkey.

    Finacial News

    [19] Greek PMI almost unchanged at 50 points in Jan

    Greece's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained almost unchanged at 50 points in January, from 50.2 points in December 2015, offering more evidence of a stabilization in the manufacturing sector after a sharp drop last year, Markit said on Monday.

    Samuel Agass, a Markit economist, commenting on the January figure said that the first report of 2016 showed that operating conditions in manufacturing companies in Greece remained unchanged. Producers reported more stability in their environment during January, showing a turn from a crisis which hit the sector in 2015. The fact that the number of workers grew at the fastest rate since July 2007 was encouraging for enterprises, while inflow prices fell for the first time in 12 months. However, volume of incoming new orders remained in contraction, production fell again, while pending works volumes fell further. "If there are no signs of fundamental improvement in these sectors, it is unlikely to have any intense economic growth in the next few months," Agass said.

    Greek producers reported a slightly decline in production levels in January, probably due to a lack of liquidity in the market and reflected limited inventories. New orders fell further in the month, while the volume of new works fell steadily, beginning in September 2014. New orders from abroad fell in January, but at the slowest rate in 15 periods. Purchasing activity in the manufacturing sector fell further in January, with inventories falling, extending at trend which began in August 2008.

    The PMI measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector and readings below 50 a shrinking sector.

    [20] Greek economic sentiment index up to 91.6 points in Jan

    Greek economic sentiment index rose significantly to 91.6 points in January, from 87.1 in December, but remained below a 95.9 point level recorded in January 2015, the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) said on Monday.

    In a monthly report, IOBE attributed this development to improved expectations in all business sectors, particularly in services. "The picture of total stabilization recorded in the last few months in business activity is not reversed although expectations remained still below last year's levels. On the other side, consumer confidence weakened as expectations over households' finances in the next 12 months deteriorated significantly, discounting negative developments in family income due to expected changes in social insurance," IOBE said in the report.

    More analytically, expectations in the manufacturing sector remained almost unchanged over production levels in the next few months, estimates over inventories were slightly better and negative expectations over new orders and demand deescalated.

    In the services sector, negative estimates over current situation and current demand improved, while expectations over short-term demand turned positive for the first time since December 2014.

    In the retail sector, negative estimates over current sales remained unchanged while estimates over short-term developments gained ground.

    In the construction sector, an improving climate was based on expectations on current work levels and a rise in employment.

    In consumer confidence, expectations over households' finances deteriorated further while expectations over the country's finances deteriorated slightly. Expectations over unemployment and saving improved slightly.

    [21] Greek stocks ended slightly higher in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday, in thin trading conditions as investors remained on the sidelines awaiting developments in negotiations between Greek authorities and the country's creditors on completing a first review of the Greek economic programme. The composite index of the market rose 0.78 pct to end at 557.16 points, off the day's highs of 558.71 points. The Large Cap index rose 1.04 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 0.40 pct lower.

    Turnover was a thin 35.648 million euros, the lowest so far in 2016, in volume of 49,167,478.

    Ellaktor (5.08 pct), METKA (4.60 pct) and Motor Oil (4.34 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Viohalco (2.84 pct), Athens Water (2.80 pct) and Aegean Airlines (1.88 pct) suffered heavy losses.

    National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Among market sectors, Oil (3.23 pct), Raw Materials (2.33 pct) scored big gains while Health (6.36 pct) and Chemicals (2.81 pct) suffered losses.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 57 to 39 with another 22 issues unchanged. Vioter (20 pct), Nikas (20 pct) and Boutaris (19.64 pct) were top gainers, while Akritas (20 pct), Tzirakian (19.40 pct) and Trastor (15.92 pct) were top losers.

    [22] Solvency II enhances credibility of insurance market in Greece

    Adoption of a Solvency II European directive by the Greek Parliament enhances the protection of consumers with insurance contracts and the credibility of the Greek insurance market, the Union of Insurance Companies said on Monday.

    In an announcement, the Union said that Solvency II was introduced from January 1, 2016 and it is a new pan-European regulatory and supervisory framework of the insurance sector, adding more credibility to the insurance market by imposing strict regulations in the operation of insurance enterprises.

    The main goal of a new supervisory framework is to fully safeguard protection of insured people as Solvency II demanded more capital to be put aside by insurance companies, introducing new regulations and procedures in corporate governance and strengthened transparency. Insurance companies, operating in Greece, are entering this new environment after a two-year intensive preparation, in cooperation with the Bank of Greece, the sector's supervisory authority.

    [23] ADEX closing report

    The February contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a discount of 0.64 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 3,430 contracts with 18,457 open positions in the market. Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 33,643 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (11,364), followed by Alpha Bank (8,141), National Bank (8,373), Eurobank (2,632), MIG (356), OTE (227), PPC (503), OPAP (367), Mytilineos (290), Hellenic Petroleum (185), Motor Oil (135), Hellenic Exchanges (172), Titan (160), Ellaktor (147), Coca Cola HBC (126), Folli Follie (128) and GEK (94).

    [24] Greek bond market closing report

    The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds eased to 9.13 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Monday, from 9.27 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 9.47 pct and the German Bund yielding 0.34 pct. There was no turnover in the market.

    In interbank markets, interest rates continued falling. The 12-month rate eased to 0.010 pct from 0.015 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.044 pct from -0.039 pct, the six-month rate eased to -0.094 pct from -0.089 pct, the three-month rate was -0.162 pct and the one-month rate was -0.232 pct.

    Online purchases from supermarkets steadily growing, report Social media and smart phones are having an increased impact on supermarket sales, a report by the Institute for Research of Retail Commerce Consumer Products (IELKA) said on Monday.

    The annual report of IELKA, based on a sample of 2,000 persons, highlighted the significant changes of Greek consumers and focused on the penetration of e-commerce on supermarket sales and in general the impact of Internet, social media and new technologies on the sector.

    The results showed there were two trends: the impact already having digital media and the prospects of online sales. The report showed that 24 pct of consumers were actively searching for information on prices through the Internet before making any purchases, a 23 pct was taking information through e-media, a 18 pct through social media and a 5.0 pct through their smart phones.

    A 16 pct of supermarket customers said they had made a purchase through the Internet in 2015 (mainly food, personal hygiene, detergents, baby products, pet products, home products and beverage, coffee and packaged food. A 24 pct of respondents said they would make online purchases this year of products they used to buy traditionally in store last year, a percentage highlighting the dynamism of e-commerce in the sector. These consumers are mostly young families with children, young couples or singles living in urban centers, eshoppers and people searching for offers and special discounts.

    The percentage of systematic online consumers for supermarket products rose to 4.0 pct in the 2013-2015 period and it is expected to surpass 5.0 pct by 2017. Online sales by supermarkets globally are expected to grow from 36 billion US dollars in 2014 to 100 billion by 2018.

    [25] Intrasoft Intl signs contract with bank in Tanzania

    Intrasoft International on Monday announced the signing of a contract with MWALIMU Commercial Bank (MCB) in Tanzania for the supply, installation and maintenance of the bank's core banking system PROFITS. The contract has a five year duration. The project will begin in February with the aim to allow the bank to be fully operational before the summer.

    The new project in Tanzania adds to the list of banking projects undertaken by Intrasoft International in Africa as part of a five-year strategic plan to strengthen in presence in Eastern Africa.

    General News

    [26] Pensioner, fisherman and U.S. actress nominated by Greece for Nobel Peace Prize

    A pensioner, a fisherman and a Hollywood actress are Greece's nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, it was announced on Monday during a joint press conference of the bodies who made the selection.

    Eighty-five year-old Emilia Kamvysi and 40-year old fisherman Stratis Valiamos, both natives of Lesvos, the island that has borne the brunt of the massive flows of refugees towards Europe, and the actress and activist Susan Sarandon were chosen for representing a humane response to the refugee crisis over the past year.

    "The proposed individuals represent all the islanders and those who showed solidarity and stood by the refugees, defending the values of peace, freedom and solidarity," the president of the Academy of Athens, Thanasis Valtinos, told journalists.

    Kamvysi was selected to represent "all those women who contribute like affectionate mothers in helping children who arrive in Greece and face migration, all the women who help any way they can in dealing with the refugee-migration issue," the announcement said.

    Valiamos, the fisherman who refuses to be photographed and is said to have saved thousands of people was voted to represent "all the inhabitants of those islands who help with all their strength in dealing with the refugee crisis".

    Sarandon was chosen to represent "the multitude of foreigners who stood by the refugees and migrants from the beginning," the statement said, adding that when the actress was informed of the nomination, she said she "humbly accepts" but clarified she will represent the thousands of foreign people "who offer their time and resources on the Greek islands and help in this humanitarian crisis".

    The selection was made by the Academy, the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the Greek Olympic Committee and the Conference of Greek University Rectors.

    If they win, the money from the prize will be proportionally distributed among the hospitals on these islands, while the award will be exhibited in the Acropolis Museum, said professor and president of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, Christodoulos Yiallourides, who is himself Greek Cypriot refugee.

    At the same time, an online petition on the online campaigning platform Avaaz in favour of the nomination of Greek islanders has amassed more than 640,000 signatures.

    "We are asking the Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to the residents and volunteers of the Aegean islands that have opened their arms to refugees and sent a message of humanity and solidarity that has touched the whole planet," the petition reads.

    The president of the Greek parliament Nikos Voutsis expressed his support for the move.

    "The citizens of the Aegean islands, and especially Lesvos, constitute an example for the European civilization," he said.

    The deadline for the nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize will expire at Sunday midnight.

    Online voting in Avaaz (in Greek) is available at https://secure.avaaz.org/el/nobel_to_greek_islanders/?slideshow

    [27] Iraqi national arrested at Athens Airport with passport stolen by ISIS

    A 37-year-old Iraqi national of Kurdish descent who is permanently resident in Greece was arrested at Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" international airport after he attempted to travel with a passport that had been registered as stolen and cancelled by Iraqi authorities.

    Specifically, the passport in question was among a batch of blank Iraqi passports stolen by members of ISIS from a citizen's service centre in the Iraqi province of Nineveh.

    The 37-year-old was arrested on Sunday and claimed that the passport was sent to him by post, by an Iraqi relative, after he was forbidden to leave the country due to his involvement in a human trafficking case. He has been charged with obtaining a false official certificate and violating laws on illegal aliens and the migration code. He will be led before an Athens Misdemeanours Court prosecutor.

    [28] At least 6,000 refugees to arrive at Piraeus port on Monday

    "Nisos Rhodos" and "tera jet" ferries with 2,883 refugees on board arrived at Piraeus port early on Monday. "Blue Star Patmos" and "Blue Star 2" are expected to arrive within the day carrying 2,137 refugees.

    Meanwhile, "Nisos Mykonos" carried 306 refugees from Chios and 459 refugees from Mytilene to the port of Kavala.

    At least 6,000 refugees in total are expected to arrive at Piraeus port on Monday after the suspension of the seamen's federation strike.

    [29] Are you a talent in science communication? Apply to FameLab!

    The British Council in Athens in cooperation with Hub Science will hold the 10th competition FameLab in order to find new talents in science communication.

    FameLab is a training programme in a competition format to get people talking about science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who has a university degree - or who is studying for one - in a scientific field.

    Applicants have three minutes to present a concept from their field of study to a panel of judges.

    The idea behind the competition is to take science out of the classroom and make it fun, and to encourage young people with a passion for science and technology to share their enthusiasm with the general public.

    Greece has been an active participant in the competition since 2007. This year, the competition is part of our 2nd Athens Science Festival and is being organised in collaboration with Hub Science.

    Those interested can apply until Friday, March 11 at the website https://www.britishcouncil.gr/famelab. The first round will take place in Athens on March 15 and in Thessaloniki on March 16.

    [30] No trains and urban railway on Thursday

    Trains and urban railway will not run on Thursday due to a 24hour strike declared by GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Civil Servants Labour Union).

    Moreover, all train services scheduled to depart after Wednesday midnight will not be conducted. Metro service to the airport will not be carried out during the strike.

    [31] Passengers can use cheaper transport tickets until end of April

    Passengers who still have old public transport tickets will be able to use them until the end of April, while old monthly travel cards can be used until they expire, the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) said on Monday, the first day of the implementation of the new increased prices in public transport tickets.

    The price of the single ticket rose to 1.40 euros from 1.20 and its duration was extended from 70 to 90 minutes. The price of the reduced single ticket remains at 0.60 cents. OASA also said it is abolishing the 50-euro 7-day airport ticket.

    [32] Athens Half Marathon pushed up to March 20

    The 5th Athens Half Marathon will be held earlier than usual on March 20, in accordance with a standing demand by the running community in order to make it easier for the athletes taking part to find accommodation.

    Announcing the new date during a joint press conference with Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) President Kostas Panagopoulos, Athens Mayor George Kaminis said this would help launch the city's tourism season earlier and also coincide with the spring break in western universities.

    The route of the Half Marathon will pass in front of nearly all the main tourist spots and sights in Athens.

    Panagopoulos said the aim of the organisers was to make the Half Marathon a "spring festival of sports and culture" and that the goal was to reach 20,000 participants.

    [33] New app uncovers Thessaloniki's Jewish heritage

    A new mobile application that allows users to discover Thessaloniki's Sephardic Jewish heritage which dates back several centuries was presented at the city's town hall by its creators on Monday.

    Hundreds of thousands of Jews lived in the city and once formed one of Europe's largest communities, building numerous private and public buildings. The massive fire of 1917 which raged mainly through the Jewish quarter and their deportation by the Nazis during WWII destroyed the community and most of its history.

    Now users can download the "Thessaloniki Jewish Legacy" app for iPhones and iPads which provides self-guided walking tours through an interactive map, offers cultural and historical context and explores details of the existing and "hidden" Jewish cultural monuments, such as old synagogues and houses.

    The app has been made available thanks to the collaboration of the Embassies of Canada, Germany and Israel, the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, the City of Thessaloniki and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University.

    [34] Weather Forecast

    Mostly fair weather and winds from variable directions are forecast for Tuesday. Wind velocity will reach 5 on the Beaufort scale. Scattered clouds in the northern and the western parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 03C-20C. Mostly fair in the eastern parts with temperatures between 05C-20C. Sunny over the Aegean islands and Crete, 11C-18C. Fair in Athens, 09C-20C. Mostly fair in Thessaloniki, 06C-17C.

    [35] Athens News Headlines at a glance

    DIMOKRATIA: It smells of gunpowder

    EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: The hotspots of the negotiation

    ETHNOS: Express transfers in the public sector

    KONTRA NEWS: 5,260 civil servants on the blacklist of fraudsters with deposits in Switzerland

    NAFTEMPORIKI: Tax labyrinth blocks investment

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