MacroPolis

Greece’s Foundation for Economic and Industrial research (IOBE) has presented a new study which shows that between 2011 to 2019, privatisations provided an important boost to annual GDP.

Greece’s privatisations have stalled under the coronavirus pandemic, with most major privatisations making no progress.

A rare moment of consensus has led to Greek Parliament allowing Greeks living abroad to vote in national elections from their country of residence as a new wide-ranging opinion poll indicates New Democracy is still dominating its rivals.

The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) has noted in its revised business development plan that a number of barriers still remain in place for several major privatisations to move forward, including the redevelopment of the Hellinikon.

The privatisation of the Athens International Airport (AIA) moved forward a step this week when the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) announced that 10 investment schemes expressed interest in the first phase of acquiring a 30 percent stake in the airport currently held by HRADF.

While the domestic political agenda continues to be debated by the tug-of-war over the Novartis affair, the government continues to try to promote abroad a narrative based on progress and renewal.

Developments in Greece’s marquee privatization project at Athens’s former airport took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when it was announced that the foreign investors participating in the consortium formed to acquire the property have withdrawn.

The CEO of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), Aris Xenofos, has outlined plans to move ahead with several privatisations that have been pending recently.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has set out his government’s priorities for the next four years, including the broad aim of establishing a new, post-crisis reality in Greece, but also with extensive reference to specific measures, with tax cuts leading the way.

There have been reports that the European Commission might not publish its third enhanced surveillance report next week, but it is certain that the issue of meeting this year’s fiscal targets will not disappear for the current Greek government or its successor.