Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens development programme gets under way

[02] Greece presents ambitious development policy program

[01] Athens development programme gets under way

Kaminis spoke of a new starting point for Athens that will comprise of a number of vital development and infrastructure projects, including garbage collection and management, construction of a swage system where needed, construction of two bioclimatic kindergartens in Athens' inner neighbourhoods of Kypseli and Keramikos, redevelopment of St. George square, Kypseli, and many more. amna

Sgouros said that remaining funds available by ESPA (National Strategic Reference Framework – NSRF) amount to some €300 million, and contracts are expected to be signed within 2013 for related projects. The head of the Attica prefecture called on mayors to present mature designs available so that projects may be included in funding schemes.amna "Times New Roman";color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: Referring to over than 500 vacant neoclassic buildings in Athens, Sgouros stressed that these are a "bad image" for the capital and they should be refurbished or demolished.

[02] Greece presents ambitious development policy program

Presenting the ministry's policy for the current year, Hatzidakis said the ministry in the first quarter of 2013 will complete all privatizations, market deregulations and all procedures related with the ministry.

Under the ministry's planning, the government aims to build a sea cruise port in the Piraeus region, merging Invest in Greece with Export Promotion Organization, transferring all employees of Economic and Commercial Affairs from the Foreign Affairs ministry to the Development ministry and implementing a plan to open commercial shops on Sundays. Also, accelerating procedures to promoting large investment projects through Fast Track and setting up a Special Licensing Agency.

The Greek minister said a plan to boost liquidity in the economy will be made in five steps:

1- Implementing an agreement with European Investment Bank, offering another 400 million euros to small and medium-sized enterprises and launching a program offering guarantees to imports and exports, worth 1.5 billion euros. amna

2- Absorbing 3.89 billion euros from community funds and continuing negotiations for a new financing agreement with the European Union for the period 2014-2020 in order to avoid a 40 pct cut in community funds.

3- Launching this month of a low-interest rate loan program for investments and working capital worth 680 million euros, with a 50 pct interest rate subsidy.amna

4- Using an investment law to boost liquidity in the market with payments up to 620 million euros. "Times New Roman";color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: 5- Setting up an Hellenic Investment Fund.

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