Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Local authorities record cash surplus in first two months of 2013

[02] TrainOSE privatization process to begin in June

[03] Job Fair Athens 2013 at Technopolis

[01] Local authorities record cash surplus in first two months of 2013

"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; He clarified that "the counterbalancing of public spending, the introduced spending cuts, and the increase in municipal revenues from sources other than state coffers created a surplus of 362.3 million euros in the first two months of 2013, further reinforcing the economic independence of Local Administration Organizations (OTA)."

"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; Particularly, the surplus in February 2013 reached 180.1 million euros, while a satisfactory collection of revenues and spending cuts implemented in compliance with the 2013-2016 Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy, are continuing.

"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; "The new reality created in local administration on a daily basis as a result of systematic work and cooperation lays the foundations for a new model, free from past dependencies. This will give a greater economic and administrative independence to municipalities and regions," Stylianidis said.

"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; The cash surplus recorded was the result of increased revenues from municipal taxes and fees - given that state budget subsidies have been considerably reduced (12 pct) compared with the first two months of 2012 - and a 13 pct reduction in spending compared with the same period in 2012.amna

[02] TrainOSE privatization process to begin in June

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the management of Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and the managements of Hellenic Railways, TrainOSE, ErgOSE, GaiaOSE and Rosco, the Greek minister said following the transfer of TrainOSE's shares to HRADF, a privatization process has begun and stressed that the future investor in the company should have not only the necessary capital, but experience in railway transport and a strategy as well.

"There has been a long-term process which began with a restructuring of Hellenic Railways in 2008, many steps have been made to have a fully restructured company in 2012 and to report positive results," Hatzidakis said, adding that things were progressing well, after a settlement of legal issues with the European Union.

The minister said Hellenic Railways reported slight profits in 2012, it was debt-free and offered expertise and know-how. He added that the troika recently approved a plan to offer 50 million euros in subsidies to under-performing railway lines, while TrainOSE expanded its activities with the signing of an agreement with Hewlett-Packard and Cosco.amna

Hatzidakis said he will sent a letter to EU Commissioner Joaquin Almunia seeking to settle any pending legal disputes regarding Hellenic Railways. He confirmed there was investment interest for the company, although he declined to offer more details and left the door open that a tender could be in separate parts.

HRADF's chief executive, Yiannis Emiris, said a privatization process will be a swift and tight process, noting: "Our ambition is that the tenders of Rosco and TrainOSE run in parallel and they have to".amna

[03] Job Fair Athens 2013 at Technopolis

"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; In the previous two Job Fairs, more than 60 companies and 2,000 students and graduates of polytechnic, technological and economic schools took part in the event, which is organised by the student organisations EESTEC LC Athens (Electrical Engineering Student European Association) and "Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419; ÉÅÅÅfont-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; NTUA S.B. (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), in collaboration with more than 100 higher-education students from all over Greece, under the auspices of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA-Athens Polytechnic) and the Secretariat General for Research and Technology (GGET).

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#0F1419;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; The purpose of the event, which runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days, is to brief visitors on the conditions on the job market, and for them to find jobs or internships with the participating companies.amna

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