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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-10-04Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Tuesday, 4 October 2016 Issue No: 5260CONTENTS
[01] PM and top NATO commander discuss security, NATO's role, migrationPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras met on Monday with the U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, EUCOM commander and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to discuss regional developments concerning security, the role of NATO and its contribution in managing the refugee crisis, his office said.Tsipras and Scaparrotti also discussed Greece's role in ensuring stability and peace in the wider region, with adherence to international law. During their talks, the prime minister expressed his intense concern about the recent statements by Turkish politicians, noting that security and stability in the region can only be ensured on the basis of international law. [02] PM expresses displeasure over police use of tear gas against pensionersPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras telephoned Alternate Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Toskas and expressed his displeasure over police use of tear gas against pensioners protesting in central Athens, asking that the incident should not be repeated, sources revealed on Monday.The citizen protection ministry earlier assumed political responsibility for the decision to make "limited use of tear gas during a pensioners' demonstration today, on October 3, at the junction of Vassilisis Sofias Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street." It announced that, in the wake of the incident, orders have been issued banning all use of tear gas during demonstrations by workers and pensioners. Toskas also asked the police to launch an inquiry into why the MAT riot police resorted to using tear gas, to determine the facts and the conditions under which the decision was taken. [03] Citizens Protection Ministry prohibits use of chemicals during pensioners' ralliesCitizens Protection ministry assumed the political responsibility for the use of chemicals during a pensioners' rally on Monday.In an announcement later on Monday the ministry said that the use of chemicals will be prohibited during pensioners and labourers protest rallies. [04] Tsipras to announce members of constitutional review committee on ThursdayPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to announce on Thursday the members that will make up the Dialog Committee on the Constitutional review, government sources said on Monday.According to the sources, the prime minister will meet with the Committee and announce its members, after which the government will publish the text which will form the basis of the dialog. [05] Government Economic Policy Council sets date for drafting Growth Strategy PaperThe Government Economic Policy Council on Monday approved a series of deadlines for drafting a Growth Strategy Paper that is to be sent to the institutions representing Greece's creditors by early November.The meeting on Monday, chaired by government Vice President Yiannis Dragasakis, discussed the economy, development and tourism ministry's recommendations for a new strategy on growth. According to a press release from Dragasakis' office, it approved a series of deadlines for drafting the relevant documents and incorporating the comments and observations of the various agencies involved. Once the process is complete, a Growth Council will be set up that will monitor its implementation. [06] Greece at the epicenter of investment plans for natural gas supplies to EuropeA strategy by successive governments to turn Greece into an energy hub is moving into form with the promotion of a series of investment plans focusing on the country. The TAP (Trans Atlantic Pipeline), IGB (Greek-Bulgarian pipeline), East Med (Israel-Cyprus-Greece), South European Pipeline (transporting Russian natural gas) and IGI (Greece-Italy) projects, currently in different stages of maturity, are gradually changing the energy map of Greece, the Balkans and Europe.The most advanced project, scheduled to begin operations in 2020, is the TAP pipeline. Environment and Energy Minister Panos Skourletis recently said that TAP will be the first section of a pipeline system, built from Azerbaijan to Italy, to be ready for operation. The TAP project (bringing together as shareholders Socar, Snam, BP, Fluxys, Enagas and Axpo) opens to so-called South corridor of natural gas, a 4,000 km corridor with an estimated investment of more than 20 billion euros, of which 550 km in Greece with an estimated investment of 1.5 billion. Construction works began in May and transport capacity will be 10 bln cubic meters of natural gas annually -at an initial stage- with the prospect of doubling this capacity in the future. The Greek-Bulgarian pipeline project IGB (Komotini-Stara Zagora) is at the final stages before the beginning of construction works. Despite is limited size (compared with other plans) it is considered to be of strategic significance. It has a length of 180 km with an initial transport capacity of 3.0 billion cubic meters annually and with the prospect of raising this capacity to 5.0 billion. Its strategic importance is the fact that it will be the first link for the so-called vertical corridor to the North, after Bulgaria, to Romania, Hungary, Ukraine and Poland, linking IGB to TAP, supplying also LNG through the Revithousa facility and a new LNG terminal in Alexandroupoli. The project is developed by ICGB, 50-50 pct owned by Poseidon (DEPA and Edison) and Bulgarian Energy Holding. The East Med ambitious project was discussed during a ministerial meeting between Greece, Cyprus and Israel last week in Athens. The three ministers will meet again in December. The pipeline is planned to transport natural gas from Eastern Mediterranean fields (Cyprus, Israel) to Europe via Cyprus, Crete and central Greece. The first studies -to be presented to interested parties in October 26 in Athens- show that the project is technically feasible and financially competitive. The pipeline will have a length of 1,900 km (600 km land and 1,300 sub-seas) with a transport capacity of 10 billion cubic meters annually and the prospect of raising its capacity in the future. According to estimates, natural gas exports from Eastern Mediterranean fields will total 10 billion cubic meters annually after 2022. The project is considered of strategic importance for the energy security of European Union. The Greece-Italy pipeline will have a length of 207 km, linking Thesprotia with Otranto and will have a transport capacity of 12 billion cubic meters annually. It is the end section of Greek-Italian pipeline ITGI designed to transport natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe. Finally, for the South European Pipeline project, DEPA signed in February an initial agreement with Gazprom to promote the project, designed to transport Russian natural gas to Europe under European legislation. The pipeline is the development of older Russian plans for South Stream and Turkish Stream. [07] Draft of 2017 state budget tabled in parliamentFinance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Monday tabled the draft of 2017 state budget to the Parliament's Standing Committee on Economic Affairs.[08] Interior minister supports idea of government reshuffle, rejects snap electionsInterior and Administrative Reconstruction Minister Panos Kouroumblis spoke in favour of a government reshuffle and against snap elections on Monday, during an interview with radio station "Parapolitika 90.1"."A [government] reshuffle always creates a climate, an air. The prime minister is the one who will decide. Apart from that, we need work, we need time. Now we are in a phase where many things are progressing; I believe there's activity in all ministries," he said. "Snap elections would place the country in a phase of destabilization, as the government has set things in a right path," he added. [09] New system to replace outdated civil service transfer rules, minister tells ANAA draft bill on mobility for public sector staff, now forwarded to Parliament's central legislation processing committee, will transform the current outdated system for civil service transfers and secondments, Alternate Interior and Administrative Reconstruction Minister Christoforos Vernardakis told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) on Monday.Once passed, the new legislation will set up a modern, flexible system that covered the needs of public administration and would combine with changes in the organisation plan of state agencies that was now underway, he said. "We have an antiquated system of transfers and secondments that is very bureaucratic and time-consuming and serves clientelist relations more than real needs," Vernardakis told the ANA. With the new law going into effect from January 1, 2017 any secondments would be made in response to urgent and emergency needs for a specific period of time, while transfers would be carried out on the basis of vacant positions in the civil service organisational charts and the employees' own expression of preference. "The entire process will be carried out via an electronic platform, where public agencies will post their needs for specific positions. Subsequently, each individual employee will put his or herself forward for the position, based on his or her qualifications," he explained. The minister said that the entire process was expected to take between four and six weeks, with the transfer of the permanent position to the new agency and automatic adjustment of any wage difference arising from the move. "There will be a more efficient and better management of the needs of services with the individual choices of each employee," Vernardakis said. The employee desiring a transfer will not need the prior permission of the agency where they already serve, provided that at least 50 pct of permanent positions in the employee's sector are covered, he added. He noted that there would also be a "standardisation" of job descriptions in the public sector that would abolish many sectors where the work was essentially the same but given a different name. [10] All children refugees will go to school, says Education Min. Filis"All children refugees will have lessons at school in the afternoon" stated Education Minister Nikos Filis on Monday to public broadcaster ERT. "The state does not discuss human rights issues and there are no internal borders in Greece" he said.[11] ND leader meets outgoing Turkish ambassador UrasNew Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis received on Monday at his office in parliament outgoing Turkish ambassador Kerim Uras who completed his five-year tenure in Greece. During the meeting the main opposition leader referred to Uras' positive presence and contribution in the course of the Greek-Turkish relations.Mitsotakis also referred to the latest developments and particularly in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish Foreign Ministry's statements on the Lausanne Treaty and the status in the Aegean Sea. ND leader said to the Turkish ambassador that unproductive statements that question the current status, according to international treaties, in the Aegean harm the Greek-Turkish relations as well as the climate in the sensitive region of the eastern Mediterranean and should be avoided. [12] Relocation of asylum seekers reaches 1,134 individuals in September, IOM reportsThe total number of asylum seekers relocated to other European Union countries reached 1,134 in September, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Greece announced on Monday. The total number relocated since the start of the programme reached 4,569 and included 1,506 children, of which 75 were unaccompanied.The EU country that accepted the largest number of relocated refugees since the start of the programme was France, which received 1,762 individuals. The Netherlands follow with 548, then Finland with 430, Portugal with 399 and Spain with 344. France also topped the list for relocations in September, with 349, followed by Spain (112), the Netherlands (54), Portugal (34) and Finland (30). The relocation programme is financed by the European Commission's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) [13] Military exercise Parmenion 2016 starts on MondayThe military exercise Parmenion 2016 started on Monday and will run until October 7.All Greek military forces as well agencies from the public sector will participate in the exercise which is planned and directed by the General Staff. The aim of the exercise is the practice and evaluation of the armed forces in planning and conducting operations as well as to maintain and upgrade the combat capacity along with the strengthening of cooperation and coordination among the different sectors of the armed forces and the state sector agencies during the implementation of the national plans. Financial News [14] Greek economy to grow by 2.7 pct in 2017, draft budget forecastsThe Greek state budget for 2017 envisages an economic growth rate of 2.7 pct and a primary surplus of 1.80 pct, slightly higher than a target of 1.75 pct of an economic policy program.The 2017 draft budget tabled to Parliament on Monday, also envisages a 760-million-euros support to weak households through the introduction of a Social Solidarity Income plan throughout the country and an additional 250 million euros in a Public Investment Program aimed to boost growth. The draft plan envisages that economic growth will begin in the second half of 2016 for an annual recession of 0.3 pct in the year, with economic growth rates accelerating to 2.7 pct in 2017. The unemployment rate is projected to ease to 22.4 pct of the workforce next year from 23.5 pct in 2016. The primary surplus is expected to reach 0.63 pct of GDP this year, surpassing an initial target of 0.5 pct and to rise to 1.80 pct of GDP in 2017. Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said the new budget signaled the return of the Greek economy to positive growth rates. [15] New Piraeus port cruise terminal inaugurated on MondayThe new Agios Nikolaos cruise terminal at Piraeus port was official inaugurated on Monday, in the presence of Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, top COSCO Shipping and Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) executives, local government officials and Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) staff.The 280-metre terminal is the first project to go into operation after the launch of strategic cooperation between Cosco Shipping and PPA, increasing the number of cruise ships that can dock at Piraeus at any given time. Welcoming the opening of the new terminal, Kountoura said it had "exceptional significance for Greek tourism" and was an investment with high added value and financial returns, which would help Piraeus establish itself as a key cruise ship and homeporting base for the Mediterranean and Europe. She also referred to plans for a southern extension to the port that will allow large cruise ships greater than 300 metres to dock at Piraeus. She hailed COSCO Shipping's decision to invest in Greece as a strategic partner "at this time of new opportunities and new potential" for the Greek economy, adding that Greece was an especially attractive and highly competitive European and global destination in the Mediterranean." China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited Chairman and Party Secretary Xu Lirong welcomed the inauguration of the new terminal and noted the close links between shipping and tourism, which he said were both extremely important industries in Greece. He said that the cruise market was growing rapidly in the Far East and especially in China, with huge demand among the Chinese for tourism abroad, and a new "fashion" for both cruises and Greek holidays. COSCO Shipping's chairman also referred to the geographical advantages of Piraeus and noted that it had become a "mandatory stop for Mediterranean cruises." He promised that COSCO Shipping, with the support of the Greek government and the other bodies involved, will speed up work to construct deeper anchorage, so even the largest cruise ships in the world can dock in Piraeus. [16] Greek-listed profitable companies surpassed loss-making in H1The number of profitable companies listed in the Athens Stock Exchange surpassed the number of loss-making in the first half of 2016, for the first time since the end of the third quarter of 2010, Beta Securities said on Monday.In an analysis of half-year financial reports, Beta Securities said that the rate between profitable and loss-making turned from 40/60 to 54/46 and attributed this development to the fact that companies managed to balance demand with operating costs, improving operating margins. They have learned to live without the contribution of bank liquidity and taken advantage of the closure of small - or weak - companies during the prolonged crisis, gaining healthy market shares, the report said. The report stressed that first half results were affected by provisions taken on Marinopoulos' bad debt (35 million euros), while an extraordinary spending in PPC (48.3 million) was another negative factor which lowered the end result. Also, OPAP's gross earnings were taxed on a different basis, depriving 25 million from operating earnings. A 5.4 pct decline in turnover was attributed exclusively to the refinery industry (-21 pct) because of a decline in international oil prices. Excluding the oil sector, turnover eased 0.1 pct helped by a +19 pct increase in constructions and a +9.0 pct rise in the retail commerce sector. Operating profits grew 4.8 pct with operating margins rising to 13.26 pct from 11.97 pct last year, the highest figure recorded since the first half of 2009. A 3.03 billion loss from the sale of Finansbank in National Bank's balance sheet affected total results. Excluding National Bank, listed companies recorded a net profit of 992.5 million euros, of which 873 million were commercial and industrial companies. The addition of Jumbo, based on estimated results, will push this figure above 1.0 billion euros, the highest recorded since 2009. Net profit margin rose to 2.88 pct from 1.62 pct last year. The leaders in this year's half-year results were FF Group, Motor Oil, Coca Cola HBC, GEK Terna and Hellenic Petroleum, while satisfactory results were announced by OTE, Intralot, OPAP and Karelias. Among medium-sized companies, Sarantis, Crete Plastics, Thrace Plastics, Quest, Kleeman, Avax, Minoan Lines and Athens Water led the list of most profitable companies, while in small categories, MLS, Elton, Kanakis, Karatzis, Flexopack, Kyriakidis, Autohellas and Petropoulos scored big gains, followed by Kloukinas-Lappas, Korres, Nakas and FG Europe. On the other hand, Aegean Airlines were the negative surprise of the six-month period, followed by PPC, MIG and Ellaktor. Frigoglass, Pireaus Port, Thessaloniki Port and Plaisio Computers also announced lower results. [17] Greek PMI down to 49.2 points in SeptGreek manufacturing sector shrank in September reflecting a decline in production and new orders and despite an increase in workforce, although at the weakest rate in the last four months, Markit said on Monday.In a monthly report, Markit said Greece's Purchasing Managers' Index PMI fell to 49.2 points in September from 50.4 in August, reflecting a deterioration of business conditions in the manufacturing sector in the country for the sixth time this year. Greek manufacturers lowered their production in September as a result of a combination of limited supply of raw materials and a lack of liquidity in the sector. Inventories fell for the 95th successive month, while incoming new orders shrank in September after rising slightly in August. The decline was broad based as export orders fell at the same time, after two months of increases. Meanwhile, manufacturers continued raising their workforce levels, expanding this trend for the fourth successive month. Pending works fell in September, at the second strongest rate in 11 months. Sales prices fell in the month reflecting stronger competition in the sector, while inflow costs grew as a result of a further reduction in purchasing activity in the country. Inflow inventories fell for the 98th successive month while average delivery times remained unchanged. The seasonally-adjusted PMI index measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector while readings below 50 a shrinking sector. [18] Greek economic sentiment index up in SeptemberGreek economic sentiment index rose to 91.4 points in September from 90.9 in August reflecting a small improvement of business expectations in all market sectors and an increase in consumer confidence which is gradually recovering, the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) said on Monday.IOBE said the economic sentiment index records a gradual recovery of expectations after plunging in the summer of 2015 and reflects a return to normality in the economy and the implementation of an economic adjustment program. At the same time, the fact that economic sentiment has not returned to 2014 levels reflects, partly, additional pressure -tax and other- facing both Greek households and enterprises. The Foundation noted that on a short-term view an environment of greater stability seemed to be created, related with uncertainty prevailing early in the year, while consumers seemed to have discounted -up to a point- additional burdens related with tax and pension reforms. More analytically, business expectations in the industrial sector showed an improvement over production estimates, while estimates over inventories remained unchanged and negative estimates over orders and demand eased slightly. In the service sector, negative estimates over current situation eased along with estimates over current demand. In the retail commerce, estimates over current sales recovered along with estimates over short-term developments and the inventories index rising. In the construction sector, negative estimates over current works eased but without a similar improvement in employment estimates. The consumer confidence index improved as households were less pessimistic over their finances and the country's public finances for the next 12 months. Estimates over saving intentions improved although estimates over unemployment deteriorated further. Economic sentiment improved in the eurozone and the EU in September. [19] Sfakianakis reports improved first half resultsSfakianakis AEBE reported improved first half results with group sales totalling 141.4 million euros in the January-June period, up 22.1 pct compared with the same period last year, while parent sales rose 23.3 pct to 126.4 million.Gross earnings amounted to 30.2 million euros (group) and 11.6 million euros (parent), up 11.8 pct and 12.9 pct compared with 2015, respectively. EBITDA jumped 58.5 pct to reach 10.8 million euros in the first six months of 2016, for 6.8 million last year, while operating results showed a profit of 500,000 euros from a loss of 800,000 euros last year. The company said its results, both consolidated and parent have been burdened with an investment loss of 3.9 million euros from a disinvestment in Athoniki Technical. Excluding this extraordinary burden, group pre-tax results improved by 49.2 pct and parent results improved 23.7 pct. Sfakianakis said its sales (wholesale/retail) accounted for 15 pct of the Greek new car market, while its rent-a-car business recorded a 16.1 pct increase in business. [20] Clothing production down, textiles up in Jan-JulyClothing production fell in the January-July period this year, while textile production rose in the same period, official figures showed on Monday.The Hellenic Fashion Industry Association (SEPEE), in a report, said that clothing production fell 12.7 pct in the first seven months of the year, turnover eased 1.7 pct, exports fell 6.5 pct, while retail sales rose 0.6 pct and imports grew 7.6 pct. Export of clothing totaled 319 million euros in value, down from 340 million euros in the same period last year. The Thessaloniki-based federation said textile production grew 5.2 pct in the seven-month period, turnover was up 7.7 pct, exports grew 15.4 pct and imports rose 13.2 pct. Exports of textile products totaled 295 million euros in value up from 260 million euros in the corresponding period last year. In total, the value of Greek exports of clothing/textiles (including primary production of cotton) totaled 693 million euros in the January-July period, down 0.8 pct from the same period in 2015. SEPEE attributed this development to a general economic condition prevailing in the country and the imposition of additional tax burdens. [21] P.G.Nikas says turnover down 15.8 pctP.G.Nikas ABEE reported a 15.8 pct decline in consolidated turnover to 22.01 million euros in the first half of the year, from 26.15 million in the same period in 2015, reflecting the termination of operations in the Bulgarian market and a decline in domestic sales.Consolidated gross earnings totalled 6.46 million euros from 6.64 million last year, a decline of 2.6 pct, while gross profit margin grew to 29.4 pct from 25.4 pct in 2015. Operating EBITDA totalled 415,000 euros in the first half from a loss of 212,000 euros last year while consolidated EBITDA recorded a loss of 1.4 million euros burdened by a liability write off provision of 1.83 million euros. Consolidated EBIT recorded a loss of 5.29 million euros in the January-June period, up from a loss of 4.29 million last year. Parent turnover fell 11.2 pct to 20.78 million euros. The company said its market share was unchanged at 11.2 pct in volume and 13.4 pct in value. Gross earnings rose 1.3 pct to 5.96 million euros, while operating EBITDA recorded a profit of 128,000 euros and parent EBITDA a loss of 1.7 million euros. EBIT was a negative 2.59 million euros, from a loss of 1.32 million last year. [22] Elinoil turnover up, profits down in H1Elinoil Group said its consolidated turnover rose 16 pct to 592.4 million euros in the first half of 2016 and gross profits edged up to 20 million euros from 19.4 million in the same period last year.EBITDA fell 7.0 pct to 5.1 million euros in the January-June period, from 5.6 million in 2015, while EBT eased to 1.9 million euros from 2.1 million and consolidated after tax and minorities earnings totaled 1.3 million euros from 1.5 million euros last year. Parent EBITDA eased to 4.6 million euros in the first half of 2016, from 5.1 million in 2015 and after tax and minorities earnings fell to 700,000 euros from 1.3 million last year. Elinoil said it will focus on expanding its retail network, promoting new products under the Crystal brand name and exploiting new opportunities in the domestic and international market. [23] Elton AEBE says turnover up 11.4 pct in H1Elton AEBE said its consolidated turnover grew 11.44 pct in the first half of the year to 58.87 million euros, from 52.82 million in 2015, while parent turnover rose 6.24 pct to 39.87 million euros from 37.53 million over the same period respectively.Consolidated gross earnings rose 16.14 pct to 9.57 million euros, while parent gross earnings totalled 6.51 million euros up 12.57 pct from 2015. Gross profit margin rose to 16.25 pct from 15.59 pct, while parent profit margin rose to 16.32 pct from 15.40 pct last year. Consolidated EBITDA grew 18.24 pct to 4.26 million euros, or 7.23 pct of sales, up from 6.82 pct last year. Parent EBITDA rose to 2.95 million euros from 2.46 million last year. EBIT jumped 20.92 pct to 3.83 million euros, while parent EBIT jumped 23.57 pct to 2.63 million euros. Consolidated pre-tax earnings rose 19.99 pct to 3.24 million euros, while parent pre-tax earnings rose 25.11 pct to 2.20 million euros. Consolidated after tax earnings rose 15.12 pct to 2.4 million euros in the first half of 2016, while parent after tax earnings rose 19.59 pct to 1.55 million euros. Group assets totalled 97.01 million euros at the end of June 2016; up form 88.26 million a year earlier, for an increase of 9.92 pct. [24] Centric Holdings says turnover up 19.6 pct in H1Centric Holdings SA said its consolidated turnover grew 19.6 pct to 555.8 million euros in the first half of 2016, from 464.9 million in the same period last year. Gross profits totaled 4.9 million euros in the January-June period, from 5.3 million last year, a decline of 6.4 pct reflecting a significant decline in gross profit margin to 0.9 pct from 1.1 pct due to higher payout and an increase in the expenses of payout management.Operating spending fell 0.9 pct reflecting a 22 pct decline in administration spending. The group recorded a pre-tax loss of 1.2 million euros in the first half, after earning of 563,000 euros in the corresponding period last year, while after tax and minorities results showed a loss of 2.0 million. Own capital fell 5.1 pct to 39.5 million euros with the foreign/own capital rate at 0.18 pct. [25] Greek stocks end up in very low turnoverGreek stocks ended higher in the first trading session of the week in the Athens Stock Exchange, in very thin volume with turnover falling below the 15-million-euro level.The composite index of the market rose 0.91 pct to end at 569.72 points, with the Large Cap index rising 0.99 pct and the Mid Cap index falling 0.35 pct. Turnover was an extremely thin 14.903 million euros in volume of 19,407,095 shares. Mytilineos (3.37 pct), Ellaktor (3.20 pct) and Eurobank (3.15 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day among blue chip stocks, while Viohalco (2.40 pct), Hellenic Petroleum (1.52 pct) and Titan (1.05 pct) suffered heavy losses. Among market sectors, Raw Materials (3.36 pct) and Travel (2.34 pct) scored big gains, while Industrial Products (0.47 pct) and Commerce (0.34 pct) suffered losses. Eurobank and National Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 58 to 38 with another 26 issues unchanged. J&P Avax (28.18 pct), Dionic (16.22 pct) and Nafpaktos Spin Mills (9.84 pct) were top gainers, while Flexopack (20.79 pct), Sfakianakis (19.83 pct) and Progressive (15.25 pct) were top losers. [26] Greek bond market closing reportThe yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds shrank to 8.30 pct in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on Monday, from 8.41 pct on Friday, with the Greek bond yielding 8.29 pct and the German Bund yielding -0.10 pct. There was no turnover in the market.In interbank markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month rate rose to -0.064 pct from -0.065 pct, the nine-month rate fell to -0.131 pct from -0.130 pct, the six-month rate was -0.203 pct, the three-month rate rose to -0.301 pct from -0.306 pct the one-month rate was -0.371 pct. [27] ADEX closing reportThe October contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a discount of 0.18 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled 419 contracts with 5,590 open positions in the market. Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,518 contracts with investment interest focusing on Piraeus Bank's contracts (2,570), followed by Alpha Bank (1,769), National Bank (1,644), Eurobank (2,359), MIG (382), OTE (285), PPC (110), OPAP (82), Titan (54), Mytilineos (968), Metka (92), Intralot (51), Korinth Pipeworks (38), GEK Terna (23) and Ellaktor (35).General News [28] President opens exhibition marking 150th anniversary of National Archaeological MuseumPresident Prokopis Pavlopoulos hailed on Monday the contribution of the National Archaeological Museum to man-made creations during the inauguration of the new exhibition "Odysseys", which marks the 150-year anniversary of the museum."150 years after its foundation, the National Archaeological Museum celebrates with a unique, in the history of world culture, trip through the millennia, with a focus on Man and the fascinating 'Odysseys' of his perpetual path to creation," Pavlopoulos said in a speech. [29] Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center's handover to State expected in February 2017Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is expected to pass into the hands of the State on February 2017, according to a timeframe presented on Monday during the 66th meeting of the Special Advisory Committee for the Center.The consortium responsible for building the venue is currently restoring outstanding constructing issues. After construction is complete, the company will invite the state to certify the completion of the project and in December, a committee will be set to receive the company's shares in order to conclude the transfer. Once the project has been delivered, the National Library and Opera will be relocated in the new venue, a move that must be completed by March 2017. [30] Olympic Air cancels 8 domestic flights on Tuesday due to civil aviation employees strikeOlympic Air is cancelling eight domestic flights on Tuesday due to a five-day strike called by the Association of Telecommunications Employees to protest against the government's draft bill which includes a restructuring of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).The strike will start at 00:01 on October 4 and end at 23:59 on October 8 (Saturday), the airliner said. The flights cancelled are the following: - OA 062 Athens - Paros - OA 063 Paros - Athens - OA 064 Athens - Paros - OA 065 Paros - Athens - OA 096 Rhodes - Kastelorizo - OA 097 Kastelorizo - Rhodes - OA 098 Athens - Karpathos - OA 099 Karpathos - Athens For more information, passengers should visit Olympic Air's website at: www.olympicair.com or call 801 801 0101 (from land line), 210 3550500 (from mobile phone). [31] Ancient Chinese bronze vase exhibited at the National Archaeological MuseumA Chinese bronze vase of the first millennium BC decorated with dragons was unveiled at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens on Monday where it will be exhibited for three months, as part of the celebrations marking the museum's 150th anniversary.The object was presented at the Hall of the Altar after a forum on Greek-Chinese cultural relations titled "China-Europe: Cultural dialogs in Greece" held at the museum. "We are here today with great pleasure at the National Archaeological Museum, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its foundation," said Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, during his speech at the forum. Yunshan also spoke about the importance of cultural dialog and exchanges, the strengthening of bilateral relations with Greece and Europe and the respect for diversity and equality. The event was organized by the Culture ministry and China's embassy in Greece. [32] Migrants and refugees' arrivals on Chios significantly up in the last three daysA large number of migrants and refugees reached the island of Chios in the last three days taking into consideration that no arrivals were recorded in the last week.230 persons arrived on Chios in the last three days while 42 arrived on Lesvos and 54 on Samos. According to police, the number of migrants and refugees that have sought asylum in Greece and remain trapped on the Greek islands reached 10,585 on Monday. [33] Light quake jolts ZakynthosA light earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was recorded early Monday in the sea region between Zakynthos and Kyllini in the Ionian Sea.The quake's epicentre was located 17 km northeast of the city of Zakynthos and had 5 meters depth. No injuries or damages have been reported. Weather forecast [34] Partly cloudy on TuesdayClouds and winds from variable directions are forecast for Tuesday. Wind velocity will reach 6 on the Beaufort scale. Rain in the northern parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 13C to 26C. Partly cloudy in the western parts with temperatures between 16C and 26C. Scattered clouds in the eastern parts, 14C-29C. Mostly fair over the Aegean islands and Crete, 18C-28C. Scattered clouds in Athens, 16C-29C. Rain in the afternoon in Thessaloniki, 14C-25C.[35] The Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceEFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: 'Post-graduate' university studies are private in Greece.ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Who are entitled to get pension at the age of 60. ETHNOS: Ankara's insidious games over the Aegean. NAFTEMPORIKI: Plans for more flexible forms of employment. TA NEA: The polls game. 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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