Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] 'Tools of Arts' exhibition at Benaki Museum

[02] Athens-quoted Nikas loses Balkan plant in blaze

[03] Greater interest, confidence in Greek economy by foreign investors

[04] PM Karamanlis says 2005 year of fundamental changes and reforms

[01] 'Tools of Arts' exhibition at Benaki Museum

Drawing and shipping organs, solar clocks, surgical instruments, metal processing tools and many specimens from the huge collection of architect Luigi Nesi will complete the picture of tools from various eras and various trades from all over Europe.

Another special exhibition containing rare tools for manufacturing and assembling clocks will be operating on the same premises under the auspices of the Swiss embassy in Athens.

[02] Athens-quoted Nikas loses Balkan plant in blaze

Burnt to the ground were the the plant with its equipment and stock. Office space was saved. The unit was built four years ago at a cost of 8.0 million euros.

The company said it would supply FYROM's market with imports from plants in Greece and Bulgaria.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze. Workers told the Athens News Agency they suspected a short circuit.

[03] Greater interest, confidence in Greek economy by foreign investors

Speaking to reporters in London after a series of meetings with the Bank of England governor and foreign institutional investors, the Greek minister said he presented the government's economic policy after the Olympic Games, a policy aimed to boost the country's competitiveness and to emphasize outgoing policies.

"Foreign investor interest is also being displayed in the Greek stock market and in the government's privatisation programme," Alogoskoufis said.

The Greek FinMin presented to foreign investors the government's privatisation programme for the next six months and polices to reduce the country's fiscal deficit.

"I believe there is very good climate abroad regarding the Greek economy, and that the government's policy, as it unfolds in coming months and years, will greatly strengthen existing confidence in the Greek economy," he added.

Commenting on his meeting with Bank of England governor King -- both men studied at the University of London -- Alogoskoufis said: "we discussed European policy and European economic prospects, and reviewed the EU's Stability and Growth Pact currently under discussion in the EU, and of course the UK economy. Britain is not a member of the Eurozone, but has a very large economy and common points with the European economy which we discussed".

[04] PM Karamanlis says 2005 year of fundamental changes and reforms

Karamanlis said ND was aware of the secret debts and the deficits. However, the fiscal audit showed how great they are. The prime minister painted a grim picture of the state of the Greek economy, saying that ''we are descending the steps of the 15 within the European Union''.

He further said that the government's national duty is to have the country move forward and stressed that he himself is optimistic.

The prime minister confirmed the policy of mild adjustment without conveying burdens to weaker social classes and without this meaning that bold decisions will not be taken. However, he added that there will be dialogue and an understanding with social groups.

ND Central Committee secretary Vangelis Meimarakis said changing the party's institutional attitude is a wager, adding that the party supports the government's options and that a change in mentality is necessary.

The Political Council discussed preparations for the Central Committee's meeting on March 17,18 and the ratification of the party's regional organisation regulation.

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