Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-06-13

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't backs ATHOC's requests for tax breaks, 'red tape' reduction

[02] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[01] Gov't backs ATHOC's requests for tax breaks, 'red tape' reduction

The government on Wednesday said it will fully back a series of proposals unveiled before a Parliament committee by Athens 2004 organisers (ATHOC) a day earlier, including several hefty tax breaks and reduction of ?red tape? for relevant construction permits.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos made the announcement after the conclusion of Wednesdays inter-ministerial committee meeting focusing on Athens 2004 preparations, a session again chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

According to the minister, ATHOCs proposals will be included in a soon-to-be-tabled bill, expected to come up for vote during Parliaments first summer session.

Speaking before Parliaments cultural affairs committee on Tuesday, ATHOC executives called for a provision allowing free use of certain sites and buildings belonging to state-run or state-affiliated enterprises (i.e. Piraeus Port Authority, the Helexpo exhibition centre in Maroussi etc.), with expenditures for the renovation and upgrading of such sites exempted from increased assessment taxes or being considered revenue for their respective owners.

Other measures cited by ATHOC's legal adviser in his appearance before the committee include the abeyance of value added tax (18%) for goods and equipment to be purchased by the Athens 2004 organising committee; tax deductions applied to local sponsors gross revenues; a reduced 4-percent VAT on ticket prices, as well as reduced bureaucracy in the issuance of building permits for 2004-related projects -- especially in the hospitality sector -- and a tax abatement for individuals leasing lodgings to visitors during the Games.

Inter-ministerial session

Wednesdays session dealt primarily with the course of several 2004-related projects (sports venues, highways etc.), as yet another International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspection team is expected in Athens at the end of the month.

According to reports, only the projects at the coastal Hellenikon site on and near the now disused former Athens airport generated concern and criticism amongst the committee members, which include several top ministers and ATHOCs leadership.

Deputy Press Minister Telemachos Hytiris later told reporters that environmental issues were also discussed, especially Athens notorious smog problem, while noting that a handful of major infrastructure and transportation projects related to the Games the suburban rail line, a new tram network, a fleet of natural gas-burning buses etc. will decisively improve air quality and ?leave a lasting legacy for the greater Athens areas residents.?

Volunteerism

Another ATHOC proposal, namely, to award participating volunteers with a vocational training certificate also earned a remark by Venizelos, who denied recent media criticism that this could be used as added points in the current point-system employed for filling public service spots.

Finally, he referred to a new collective bargaining agreement between employers and employee groups allowing for an extra paid vacation of 10 days for 2004 volunteers, before forecasting a similar measure for the public sector.

[02] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

Sunshine is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud from early evening on the mainland that may bring isolated storms, mainly on high ground. Winds north-northeasterly, light to strong, turning very strong in the central and southern Aegean. On the northern mainland, temperatures will range from 16C to 30C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 17C to 32C; and in the Aegean islands from 19C to 28C. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 19C and 30C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 18C to 29C.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Indicative tourist buying rates per euro

U.S. dollar 0.952

Pound sterling 0.648

Danish kroner 7.495

Swedish kroner 9.241

Japanese yen 119.6

Swiss franc 1.489

Norwegian kroner 7.472

Cyprus pound 0.584

Canadian dollar 1.465

Australian dollar 1.672

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