By Michalis Psilos

 

"2024 and 2025 will be years with much more important investments from the Recovery Fund," Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said to "Naftemporiki" and Michalis Psilos.

 

“I am absolutely optimistic that – as long as we continue with a pro-investment policy – we will also achieve our target for the revenues from privatizations in 2024”, Hatzidakis noted. At the same time, he stressed the need “to send a message of political stability in the European elections, as it will also be positive for the economy.”

 

Within just 9 months since the last elections, 10 privatizations and concession contracts have been implemented or implemented through HRADF and the HFSF with revenues of over 7.1 billion euros. For example, the sale of Helleniq Energy shares, the concession of regional ports of Igoumenitsa, Kavala and Heraklion. The listing of the Eleftherios Venizelos on the Athens Stock Exchange. The divestment from Eurobank, Alpha Bank, National Bank and Piraeus Bank. The concession of the Attica Road. In all these cases we achieved our goals. I am, therefore, absolutely optimistic that – as long as we continue with a pro-investment policy – we will also achieve our target for the revenues from privatizations in 2024.

 

Inflation has been an international phenomenon

 

Inflation has been an international phenomenon over the last years, but both in the rest of Europe and in Greece it seems to be a de-escalating phenomenon, Kostis Hatzidakis said.

 

“Take for example electricity: where it was and where it is now. Also, how prices have evolved in the last quarter thanks to competition and transparency. Regarding food, new measures have been activated, such as the so-called ‘clean’ prices in supermarkets. I also remind you of the strict fines imposed. Moreover, it is the increase in the minimum wage as well as salary increases for civil servants after 13 years . All measures, however, must always be aligned with the strength of the economy for the private sector and the budget for the public sector. We exhaust all possibilities, adopting the best European practices.”

 

Political stability

 

Europe as a whole moves in both 2023 and 2024 with very low growth rates. Although we have much better dynamics in Greece, it has been affected. However, Economy and Finance Minister said,  the positive momentum that has developed over the last four and a half years has helped, with the political stability that has been added as a positive factor after the 2023 elections for markets and investors, and also the estimate that 2024 and 2025 will be years with significant investments from the Recovery Fund. Sending a message of political stability in the European elections will also be positive for the economy.