Galery

1

Ten billion euro will flow into the Greek economy through the Program for strategic development, said in front of journalists the Minister of economy, competitiveness and merchant marine Louca Katseli. For the assimilation of the state subsidy the ministry will prepare a new statutory framework, which will ease the administrative procedures in granting funds. The presentation of the new funding programs for the small and medium businesses as well as the programs for encouraging of the farmers’ activities is also expected.

Minister Katseli underlined how important for the reestablishment of the positive economic rhythm of the local economy will be the role of the municipalities in Greece. The effective assimilation of the available capital from the European Union funds is one of the priorities of the PASOK government. In her speech Katseli stressed on the fact that the funds in the Program for strategic development are an important instrument for the decrease of the national deficit, which is a main goal in the plan for stability and development. In the beginning of February the municipal governors will introduce in the ministry of economy and competitiveness similar programs which will serve them to apply for governmental subsidy. On March 5^th, the ministry will come up with the official allocation of the funds for 2010 and by the end of June a new bill for the allocation of governmental subsidies will be put in practice.

On the first meeting of minister Katseli with the regional governors in the Greek municipalities became clear that in cases of effective and conscientious use of the granted funds the outstanding municipalities will receive bonuses. In the cases when the granted funds are not entirely used the ministry will allocate those money to other municipalities.

Vice minister Stavros Arnaoutakis said that by the end of January the payments to the companies and entrepreneurs owed under the already developed programs will be paid. They sum up to the amount of 300 million euro. For the fiscal balance Luca Katseli said that the rate of credit granting to customers in 2009 has decreased by 4% compared to the goals of 10% set by the Greek central bank. For 2010 the value of the fiscal balance will be even smaller than the present.