Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented on Saturday evening the government’s updated economic policy for the next few months, promising a new model of development that will be beneficial to all.
“Greece is changing” was the main slogan in 2021 during the customary keynote economic policy speech at the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the country’s largest annual trade fair held in the port city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece.
Voicing optimism about the prospects of the Greek economy, Mitsotakis said that the growth target for 2021 is revised to 5.9 percent from 3.6 percent.
The Greek leader announced a series of measures aimed to alleviate the pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and reforms to boost growth.
The program includes new tax cuts, an extension of benefits, reductions in social security contributions and reforms to further support investments, employment, exports, extroversion, digital transition and the green economy.
“Today starts a new, exciting journey that we will all make together putting into practice the motto of this year’s exhibition: For a homeland that has knowledge and courage, for a brave Greece that moves forward and looks only up,” he said, addressing the opening ceremony of the TIF, which is scheduled to run until September 19.
The relief measures include tax cuts for households and businesses, such as reduced real estate property taxes.
Regarding the ongoing battle against COVID-19, Mitsotakis reiterated a call to those who are still unvaccinated to get inoculated.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) meets with French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly in Athens, Greece, on Jan. 25, 2021. Greece signed a contract with France on Monday for the purchase of 18 French-made Rafale fighter aircraft for 2.5 billion euros (3.03 billion US dollars). (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
