Kostis Hatzidakis

The positive sentiment in the secondary market coupled with positive developments on the fiscal front have contributed to the following paradoxical occurrence: Greece, which has a much lower credit rating (BB, BB-), borrowing at a lower interest rate than France, which the rating agencies rank at the top of the rating scale (AA-, AA2).

A strong message to markets is sent by Kostis Hatzidakis’s revelation to the international news agency Bloomberg that in 2024, the state budget will close with a higher-than-expected primary surplus of 2.4% of GDP instead of the initial target of 2.1%.

"Nobody is above the law," Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis has stressed, in the context of the spat between his ministry and taxi unions over the obligation of cabbies to inform passengers that fares can be paid by card.

The presence of Defense Minister Nikos Dendias in Lorient, France, for the launch of the second frigate “NEARCHOS,” revealed the acquisition of a fourth Belh@rra frigate, something previously hinted at by protothema.gr.

This year's Public Investments Program is being expanded by 900 million euros, with the submission of a supplementary budget at the beginning of October, in order to pay for infrastructure projects, including for the restoration of damage in Thessaly and to speed up the European Union-funded National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) projects.

The government aspires to promote the change in Greece's production model through massive tax deductions for research and development spending, which will even reach 315%, up from 200% today, reduced tax for a decade on income from products protected by patents, and tax credits for investment in startups.

The government announced on Monday the details of its measures regarding the cruise levy, the resilience fee on accommodation and other measures concerning tourism that aim at destination decongestion and state revenue growth, for environmental purposes.

A Ministerial Press Conference on the specification of measures to support businesses in the primary sector, manufacturing, and tourism announced by the Prime Minister at the 88th TIF is being held at this hour with the participation of five ministers.

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The support measures show:

Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized at the opening of a climate change symposium that the climate crisis underscores the need for collective action toward a sustainable planet, involving everyone, including the Patriarchate and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The measures announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki International Fair were detailed by Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, along with Deputy Ministers Christos Dimas and Thanos Petralias.