[ana-dist] Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-04-03

[HR-Net News Distribution Manager]

Wednesday,  3  April  2013          Issue No: 4325

CONTENTS
[01] BoG chief: Deposits in Greece secure
[02] FinMin: Optimism on outcome of negotiations with Troika
[03] Samaras gov't a guarantee for Greece's staying in the eurozone,
      spokesman
[04] Government spokesman Kedikoglou on SYRIZA's positions on the
      currency; SYRIZA response
[05] DIM.AR to insist on unified property tax at ruling coalition
      meeting Wed.
[06] SYRIZA: Gov't escalates attack against society
[07] SYRIZA leader: HRADF is vehicle for sell-off of state property
[08] Dutch foreign minister meets counterpart Avramopoulos in Athens
[09] Greece can follow Irish example on memorandum, dev't minister
[10] Independent Greeks leader visiting Cyprus
[11] ND, SYRIZA neck and neck in new opinion poll
[12] New round of FYROM name talks at UN next week
[13] Deputy minister meets Estonian deputies
[14] Data Protection Authority report presented in parliament
[15] Deputy FM, Cuba's ambassador to meet Wed.
[16] Palestinian Delegation on death of Palestinian detainee in Israeli
      hospital
[17] Greek unemployment rate highest in the EU
[18] Long-term unemployment rises to 39 pct in 2012, study shows
[19] Major employment programme announced for Attica
[20] Deputy FM on TAP pipeline
[21] Greece unveils plan for new intercity road transport system
[22] Greek-listed companies report 6.6 billion euros losses in 2012
[23] Alpha Bank unveils details of share capital increase plan
[24] EU-bankers forum looks at investment agency proposals
[25] Shipyards workers meet defence minister
[26] Eldorado Gold determined to stay in Greece
[27] Vivartia Group expands activities in Libya
[28] Egypt lifts restrictions on Greek cotton import
[29] Number of American tourists expected to increase
[30] First low cost airline flight for summer season to Zakynthos
[31] Civil Aviation Authority employees call 24-hour strike on Thursday
[32] Olive production, table olive consumption down in 2011-2012, ICAP
[33] Business briefs
[34] Greek stocks end significantly lower
[35] Greek bond market closing report
[36] ADEX closing report
[37] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday
[38] Three flight officers get top distinctions in NATO training camp
[39] Plan for University Space Research Center in Kalamata proposed by
      US Messinian organisations
[40] First TEDMED conference to open April 21 at Onassis Cultural Centre
[41] German students visit Peloponnese
[42] Half ton of hashish seized in Igoumenitsa port
[43] Wildfire in Laconia is under control
[44] Two new wildfires in Laconia prefecture
[45] Rainy on Wednesday
[46] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance
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Politics

[01] BoG chief: Deposits in Greece secure

Bank deposits in Greece are secure, central Bank of Greece (BoG)
governor George Provopoulos assured early Tuesday, speaking on a late
night programme on state NET television.

"In no instance will the solution (of a haircut of deposits) that was
selected for Cyprus be implemented in Greece," he said, adding that even
in the event of shortfalls in the Greek programme, these would be made
up for by a reduction in expenditures and rationalization of the public
sector, and not with a haircut of deposits.

He explained that the Greek banks have already absorbed the 50 billion
euros foreseen in the Memorandum for their recapitalization, and
consequently their capital base has been substantially boosted. Their
position was further boosted by the repatriation of deposits from abroad.

Indeed, he said, more than 19 billion euros in deposits had returned to
Greece between June 2012 and mid-March.

On the timetable for the banks' recapitalization, Provopoulos said that
the deadline set by the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank
(ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Troika of Greece's lenders
for completion of the recapitalization process by end-April was "not
realistic", and anticipated that the systemic banks will have completed
the relevant procedures by end-May, adding that Greece could extend the
deadline by a month.

He confirmed that the Troika has expressed reservations over the planned
merger of National Bank of Greece (NBG) and Eurobank, but predicted
that the merger would take place and that the relevant process will not
be reversed. Provopoulos said that the word 'veto' does not describe
the Troika's stance on this specific merger, explaining that whatever
reservations arise from the large size the new bank (after the merger)
would have, as well from the large share (approximately 40 percent)
of the Greek market the new bank would have.

As for the repercussions of the crisis in Cyprus on the Greek economy,
Provopoulos anticipated that there would be a further, but minor,
reduction in GDP.

He said the recession in the Greek economy this year would approach 4.5
percent (against an initial forecast of 4.0-4.5 percent), explaining
that the impact of the developments in Cyprus on the Greek GDP would be
about 0.35 percent.

Provopoulos once again reiterated that the structural changes and
restructure of the public sector need to proceed, and opposed the
imposition of additional taxes, while indirectly, but clearly, favored
continuation this year of the collection of the extraordinary surtax on
real estate (EETHDE) via PPC electricity bills.

The central bank chief further stressed that the danger of Greece's
exiting the euro has been distanced, but without this meaning that it
has totally eclipsed. He also declined to predict when Greece would be
able to return to the international markets.

[02] FinMin: Optimism on outcome of negotiations with Troika

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras expressed optimism for a positive
outcome to the government's negotiations with the European Commission
(EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Troika of Greece's lenders, speaking to the press after a meeting with
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Tuesday.

Stournaras said that there is no issue of extending the negotiations
with the Troika, adding that "a very good discussion" was held at his
meeting on Monday with the representatives of PASOK and Democratic Left
(DIMAR), the two junior partners in the three-party coalition government.

[03] Samaras gov't a guarantee for Greece's staying in the eurozone,
spokesman

Since the component groups of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) "cannot
communicate among themselves, they would better remain silent," government
spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said on Tuesday, in a response to criticism
by the party on comments relating to Greece's membership in the eurozone.

"In SYRIZA's polical multiplicity of languages, they are having a hard
time understanding simple English. The euro is absolutely necessary
for the fast recovery and development of Greece's economy, without
the financially weaker classes losing anything," Kedikoglou said. The
government of Antonis Samaras is the only guarantee Greece has of
remaining in the eurozone.

[04] Government spokesman Kedikoglou on SYRIZA's positions on the
currency; SYRIZA response

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou on Tuesday responded to comments
made by main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) cadres that
"the currency is not a fetish", by saying that "Greece is a fetish".

Interviewed by an Athens-based private radio station, Kedikoglou said,
"We are doing what we have to do for our country. The best we can, and
what our country needs in this difficult phase," noting that "whoever
said something like that (to return to the national currency) is against
the country and the economically weak".

"As far as SYRIZA is concerned, it resembles the political equivalent of
the biblical Tower of Babel. One does not know whom to address first:
[parliamentary spokesman Panagiotis] Lafazanis, who advocates bank
nationalisation and  leaving the eurozone, while alleging that the Greek
people have been intimidated; [Deputy Yiannis] Tolios, who also spoke
about phobia, stressing that we should get rid of phobias and return to
the national currency; or to listen to [head of the party's financial
policy Yiannis] Milios, who warns that a proposed exit from the eurozone
would mean more suffering for workers and pensioners."

Kedikoglou said that "[SYRIZA leader Alexis] Tsipras is like a pendulum
that changes position, depending on whether he is in the country or
abroad. Can such a political party be regarded as serious? We are careful
in order to do what we know to be the only realistic way to handle a very
difficult situation and lead society out of the crisis without any more
losses. The government protects the national interest. We are adamant
in our position and everybody agrees, even SYRIZA cadres, that  there
is no issue for discussion. Outside the eurozone it will be much more
difficult. It would be much more difficult for the weak."

In response to the government spokesman's statements SYRIZA noted that
"we are welcoming him to the view that no currency is a fetish, neither
the euro nor the drachma."

"Would it be possible for him to also realize how catastrophic the
memorandum policy implemented by the government is?" the SYRIZA statement
concluded, referring to Kedikoglou.

[05] DIM.AR to insist on unified property tax at ruling coalition
meeting Wed.

The Democratic Left (DIM.AR) party will oppose the contiuation of the
property tax, collected through the Public Power Corporation (DEI) bills,
this year as well, according to AMNA sources.

The party's executive committee, in its weekly meeting, called instead
for the introduction of a unified tax levied on real estate.

Also discussed, sources said, was the party's support of a proposal by
Administrative Reform Minister Antonis Manitakis to restructure public
sector services.

The issues were brought up ahead of a meeting among the three ruling
coalition parties' leaders on Wednesday.

[06] SYRIZA: Gov't escalates attack against society

The three-party coalition government is escalating the attack against the
majority of the society, main opposition SYRIZA said in an announcement
on Tuesday, adding that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, hand in hand
with the EC,ECB,IMF troika, is  materialising the plan for the further
dissolution of the social state and the devastation of labour relations,
the closure of businesses, the privatisations and the layoffs, while at
the same time 'jubilating' over Cyprus' destruction.

Meanwhile, PASOK and Democratic Left (DIMAR), instead of arguing on who
will differentiate in public relations, beyond the government's line,
should explain to the Greek people why they continue to support the
memorandum of disaster, SYRIZA said.

[07] SYRIZA leader: HRADF is vehicle for sell-off of state property

Main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras tabled a question in
parliament on Tuesday, charging that the Hellenic Republic Asset
Development Fund (HRADF) is the "vehicle for implementation of the
extreme programme of selling off the state property", and also charging
violations of the Constitution in the appointment of HRADF president
Takis Athanasso-poulos.

The question, which concerns the HRADF's activities, its decision-making
process and the Fund's leadership, is addressed to Prime Minister Antonis
Samaras and asks that parliament be briefed on the method that was used
in which the state assets were appraised at just 9.4 billion euros and
whether the government will persist with the concession of strategic
sectors of the economy to private business interests, and whether "it
will continue to cover for the unlawful operation of HRADF".

Tsipras charged that the HRADF "is a vehicle for implementation of the
most extreme programme of selling off the state property", and "operates
with intransparent procedures, circumventing even its founding law and
constitution".

"The initial goal of creating the HRADF was the collection of monies to
pay off the state debt, which is now considered possibly not sustainable
and will not become sustainable without a generous haircut, regardless
of the sell-off the state assets," Tsipras said in his question, adding
that "the appraisal of the state assets has no relation whatsoever to the
initial appraisals, since according to the 2013-2016 denationalisations
programme it is just 9.6 billion euros, while the initial programme of
the first Memorandum anticipated the collection of 50 billion euros,
and before 2010 these assets were appraised at a minimum of 285 billion
euros".

He also charged that in the Fund's function to date "a series of
violations of the Constitution and the laws arises" because the
"appointment of Athanassopoulos, who is now pending trial, in an illegal
manner, is an unprecedented circumvention of the Constitution", as
well as the HRADF board's omission in making public, on the internet,
its quarterly reports as required by law, the release of confidential
information on public enterprises up for sale, as well as the change
in the terms of the tender for the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA)
after the dossiers of the indicative offers had been opened, which are
"unprecedented and deliberate violations of the legal process".

He further charged, as an "unprecedented manipulation", the refusal of
access to the parliamentary parties of the minutes of the HRADF board's
meetings, as well as the ousting of board members who disagreed with
the decisions and had demanded that their objections be recorded in
the minutes.

[08] Dutch foreign minister meets counterpart Avramopoulos in Athens

The economic crisis of Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations were main issues
discussed at the meeting of Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos
with his Dutch counterpart visiting Athens, Frans Timmermans.

Avramopoulos briefed the Dutch minister about the Greek people's
sacrifices, the preparations to assume the EU's rotating presidency in
the first six months of 2014, and the importance of Cyprus restoring
its financial health as soon as possible. "Cyprus does not stand alone,
because the European building is a single one and demands the application
of the principle of solidarity," Avramopoulos said.

Referring to Turkey, he said its European perspective was directly related
to respect of international law and alignment with the European acquis
communautaire. "Whoever invests in crisis is committing a strategic
mistake," he added, "as it is a 'pandemic' phenomenon which knows no
borders and can get out of hand." But the "recent summit meeting with
Turkey offered positive results, establishing an honest diplomacy in
bilateral relations," he added.

Timmermans commented that Europe's solution to the Cyprus crisis "is not
a model solution," as "every country has its unique circumstances." For
example, he said, "In Cyprus, as in Greece, they speak Greek but the
case of Greece is entirely different from that of Cyprus'."

After mentioning forecasts seeing a 20 pct increase of Dutch tourists
to Greece this summer, the Dutch foreign minister said, "The more
Dutch that come to Greece, the more they understand the Greek reality
and stereotypes are destroyed," something also true of Greek students
studying at universities in Holland.

Timmermans congratulated the government for "its brave steps," adding that
in cirsis "there is only a European solution, not a Dutch or Greek one."

Topics discussed between the two also included nationalism in Europe,
illegal immigration, and Syria and its humanitarian disaster.

Earlier in the day, the Dutch foreign minister met with Prime Minister
Antonis Samaras.

[09] Greece can follow Irish example on memorandum, dev't minister

Greece does not have the luxury of losing time or rolling backwards,
sowing doubts, because that would be the worst possible thing, Development
Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said on Tuesday after a round of contacts
he had with local and regional officials and the ruling New Democracy
party in Thessaloniki on Tuesday.

"After adopting a memorandum for a few years, the Irish are coming
out of it very soon. If they succeeded, so can we," Hatzidakis said,
"as long as we put it forward as a persistent goal."

In his contacts in the largest northern city, Hatzidakis said that
priority of all projects belonged to the Thessaloniki Metro, which was
impeded by the contractor's liquidity problems. "We are doing whatever
we can to keep the project alive and help it overcome its problems,"
he noted. The Metro will be extended to the Kalamaria, the town adjacent
to Thessaloniki on the east, while projects at the "Makedonia" airport
are being restarted.

Hatzidakis also mentioned that the first congress for the 2014-2020
period of growth will take place in Athens on Thursday and attended
by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and EU Commissioner for Regional
Policy Johannes Hahn. This will be followed by 13 regional development
congresses, he said.

[10] Independent Greeks leader visiting Cyprus

NICOSIA (AMNA/A.Viketos)

Cyprus Parliament Speaker Yiannakis Omirou and visiting Independent Greeks
party president Panos Kammenos reassured here on Tuesday that Greece and
Cyprus will walk together in these difficult moments to bring prosperity,
growth and social cohesion again, in both Greece and Cyprus.

Kammenos also held separate meetings on Tuesday with left AKEL party
secretary general Andros Kyprianou, European Party (EVROKO) president
Dimitris Syllouris and the leadership of the Ecologists Movement.

[11] ND, SYRIZA neck and neck in new opinion poll

New Democracy (ND) and main opposition SYRIZA were tied in first place
in voters' preference, according to an opinion poll conducted by GPO
for the private MEGA television station.

According to the poll results, ND and SYRIZA were tied at 20.3 percent
each in the respondents' preference, followed by ultra-right Golden
Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 9 percent, PASOK with 7.5 percent, Independent
Greeks with 6.3 percent, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 5.8 percent
and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 5 percent, while 4.1 percent of the
respondents expressed support for other parties, 6.1 percent said they
would cast a blank vote and 15.6 percent declined response.

To a question of who would be most suitable for prime minister, current
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (and ND leader) was preferred by 46
percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras
with 29.3 percent, while 23.5 percent said neither of the two.

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was
conducted between 28 March and 1 April 2013.

[12] New round of FYROM name talks at UN next week

New York (AMNA/P. Panagiotou) -- Another round of meetings on the FYROM
name issue will be held in New York on April 8 and 9, the UN Secretariat
announced.

The UN Secretary General's personal envoy in the talks between Greece
and FYROM on the FYROM name issue, Matthew Nimetz, has invited the chief
negotiators of the two countries, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of
Greece and Ambassador Zoran Jolevski of FYROM, to meet with him at the UN
headquarters in New York on April 8 and 9, and both sides have accepted
the invitation.

The announcement said that Nimetz will first meet with the two
representatives separately, followed by a joint meeting, for the purpose
of continuing the UN-mediated talks aimed at reaching a "mutually
acceptable solution" on the name issue.

[13] Deputy minister meets Estonian deputies

Deputy Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and
Networks Minister Notis Mitarakis met on Tuesday with the Estonian
parliament's Finance Standing Committee, headed by its president,
Sven Sester. Present at the meeting was Estonian Ambassador to Greece
Andres Talvik.

Mitarakis briefed his interlocutors on the progress of Greece's fiscal
adjustment programme, the Greek economy's prospects, the new investment
law and the current economic environment, as well as the action taken
to simplify export procedures.

[14] Data Protection Authority report presented in parliament

Appeals made by citizens to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority
(HDPA) increased 20 pct and questions addressed to the independent
watchdog rose 15 pct in 2011 compared with 2010, its president Petros
Christoforou said on Tuesday.

Presenting the HDPA annual report to the parliamentary Special Permanent
Committee on Institutions and Transparency, Christoforou noted that
a large number of cases will be impossible to handle due to personnel
shortages and insufficient funding.

In 2011 the authority went through 2,098 cases. It issued 168 rulings,
7 recommendations and 2 directives.

[15] Deputy FM, Cuba's ambassador to meet Wed.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas will meet with Ambassador of
Cuba to Greece Osvaldo Jesus Cobacho Martinez at 12:00 noon on Wednesday,
according to a Ministry announcement.

[16] Palestinian Delegation on death of Palestinian detainee in Israeli
hospital

The Diplomatic Delegation of Palestine in Athens in an announcement
denounced the death of Palestinian detainee Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, 62,
in an Israeli hospital earlier on Tuesday.

"Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh was suffering from a very serious health problem,
but the Israeli occupation Authorities refused all medical care and did
not respond with his release from the Israeli prisons, where the detainee
has been over the past 10 years, resulting in his losing his life today,
at the age of 62. It is yet another crime of the Israeli occupation,"
the announcement said.

"With the death of Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, the number of Palestinian
detainees, who died in the Israeli prisons over the past years increases
to 207," it added.

It also stressed that "today there are 4,800 Palestinan detainees in the
Israeli prisons. 107 of them have been over 30 years in the prisons of
Israel, which is refusing persistently to release them despite the fact
that they have been in prisons long before the Oslo Agreement was signed
(1993) and Israel must release them".

Financial News

[17] Greek unemployment rate highest in the EU

BRUSSELS (AMNA/M. Aroni)

Greece maintained its top position in unemployment in the European Union,
with the unemployment rate rising to 26.4 pct in December 2012, while
unemployment among young people -aged below 25 years old- was 58.4 pct,
Eurostat said on Tuesday.

The EU executive's statistics service, in a report published here, said
the figures were for February 2013, but for Greece the latest figures were
for December 2012. Eurostat said unemployment in the Eurozone remained
unchanged at 12 pct in February, compared with January, while in the
EU-27 the unemployment rate rose to 10.9 pct in February, from 10.8 pct in
January. The number of unemployed people grew by 76,000 in the EU-27 and
by 33,000 in the Eurozone in one month. The number of unemployed people
totaled 26.338 million in the EU-27 and 19.071 million in the Eurozone.

Greece (26.4 pct in December), Spain (26.3 pct) and Portugal (17.5 pct)
recorded the highest unemployment percentage rates, while Austria (4.8
pct), Germany (5.4 pct), Luxembourg (5.5 pct) and Holland (6.2 pct)
the lowest rates.

Unemployment among young people rose to 23.5 pct in February, from 22.5
pct in January, in the EU-27, while in the Eurozone the rates were 23.9
pct and 22.3 pct, respectively. The number of young unemployed in the
EU was 5.694 million and in the EU 3.581 million. Greece (58.4 pct),
Spain (55.7 pct), Portugal (38.2 pct) and Italy (37.8 pct) recorded the
highest unemployment rates among young people, while Germany (7.7 pct),
Austria (8.9 pct) and Holland (10.4 pct) the lowest rates.

The unemployment rate eased to 26.4 pct in December from 26.6 pct in
November 2012.

[18] Long-term unemployment rises to 39 pct in 2012, study shows

The long-term unemployed in Greece amounted to 39 pct of the total number
of the registered unemployed in 2012, as shown by the findings of a
study published Tuesday by the General Confederation of Greek Labour's
Employment Institute (INE GSEE), based on data provided by the Manpower
Employment Organisation (OAED).

According to the same data, the unemployment benefit paid out by OAED is
currently received by a mere 25 pct of the total number of the unemployed,
compared to 30 pct two years ago.

The number of job positions has been dropping accumulatively, as the
recession of Greece's economy mounted. In the last 30 months alone (August
2008 - December 2010), the number of jobs lost was equal to the number
of jobs created in seven-and-a-half years (January 2002 to July 2008).

More specifically, the data show that 303,824 salaried job positions
were created in the years of growth, while it took only two-and-a-half
years of recession to eliminate 309,194 positions.

In total, in just five years - August 2008 to December 2012 - as many
as 507,000 private sector salaried employees lost their job.

[19] Major employment programme announced for Attica

An annual employment programme to be urgently implemented, valued
at approximately 10 million euros, was announced on Tuesday by head
of Attica region Giannis Sgouros. The plan, presented at the Regional
Council, envisages hiring of some 1,500 employees.

Programme beneficiaries, according to Sgouros, will be Attica-based
businesses offering jobs to unemployed people of up to 29 years of age
in specialties and trades that have been worst hit by the economic crisis.

The project will be similar to the standards of business subsidy
programmes run by the Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED), obliging
employers to offer work of at least three months beyond the subsided
period of one year.

[20] Deputy FM on TAP pipeline

Speaking in favour of the imminent ratification of the
Greece-Albania-Italy agreement regarding the natural gas pipeline in
Parliament on Tuesday morning, Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas
said the construction of the TAP Interadriatic pipeline will be one of the
most important investments taking place in Greece and will have a positive
impact in the foreign markets in the current crucial economic phase.

Kourkoulas explained that the ministry and diplomatic forces has made
tremendous efforts, especially in Brussels and Washington, to achieve
their favourable neutrality in the TAP project.

The deputy Foreign minister stressed that the TAP will have zero cost for
the Greek taxpayer. The project's construction will be funded entirely
by private capital and it is regarded as one of the biggest foreign
investments in Greece with its value exceeding 1.5 billion euros,
creating thousands of jobs.

Kourkoulas also clarified that the host country's agreement under
consideration anticipates the future channeling of gas to Greece's
network. He reassured that the agreement will anticipate the observance
of all environmental and other terms of the EU and the possibility of
providing natural gas to Bulgaria through the Greek-Bulgarian pipeline
and to western Balkan countries at a future stage.

[21] Greece unveils plan for new intercity road transport system

Greek Development and Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis on Tuesday
unveiled a new system of intercity road transport, which is expected to
be fully operational by 2015.

Presenting the plan, during a news conference, the Greek minister said
a restructuring of the intercity road transport system was a commitment
of the country and noted that timetables were progressing according to
a plan agreed with the troika.

Under the new draft legislation, the new system will operate under
three categories of transport lines, paving the way for participation to
every kind of buses, such as tourist buses. Hatzidakis said the draft
legislation was not final and noted he was open to dialogue with all
interested parties.

"It is a reform based on a specific method, according to community
legislation, envisaging a transition period by 2019. However, basic
procedures must begin now to have results the soonest possible and to
avoid facing any vacuum in the domestic transportation services," he said.

[22] Greek-listed companies report 6.6 billion euros losses in 2012

Greek-listed companies recorded accumulated losses of 6.6 billion euros
in 2012, the second worst performance in history, a survey by Beta
Securities showed on Tuesday.

The survey noted that last year's results were not fully comparable with
2011 as Cypriot banks, Alapis and some other companies failed to report
their 2012 results. Beta Securities estimated that losses could surpass
10 billion euros, if these companies reported their financial results.

Accumulated turnover fell by 0.3 pct to 79.09 billion euros last year,
while operating earnings totaled 6.88 billion euros, down 3.3 pct
from 2011.

The rate between profitable and loss-making companies was 3 to 7,
as 72 listed companies reported profits and 161 losses. From the 72
profitable enterprises, 30 recorded an increase in earnings, another 30
lower profits and 12 managed to return to profitability. From the 161
loss-making enterprises, 77 reported higher losses, 68 limited their
losses and 16 turned to loss-making.

OPAP, Thessaloniki Port, Piraeus Port, Folli Follie, Terna Energy,
Motor Oil, Hellenic Petroleum, Metka, Jumbo, Hellenic Telecoms were
the top performers among blue chip stocks, while Thessaloniki Water,
Athens Water, Sarantis, Elval, Plaisio, Crete Plastics and Autohellas
were top performers in the mid capitalization category and Kri-Kri,
Iktinos, Kyriakidis Marbles, Karamolegos, Karatzis and Flexopack were
top performers in the small capitalization category.

[23] Alpha Bank unveils details of share capital increase plan

Alpha Bank on Tuesday unveiled details of a share capital increase plan,
worth 4.5 billion euros, due to be approved by an extraordinary general
shareholders' meeting scheduled for April 6. The plan envisages the
participation of the private sector with 550 million euros in cash
through a rights' issue with the issuance of new common shares worth
457.1 million euros and the issuance of new common shares worth 92.9
million euros through a private placement to selected strategic and
institutional investors.

The plan also envisages the participation of Hellenic Financial Stability
Fund with bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Fund and the
issuance of new common shares worth 4.1 billion euros. The offer price
of the new shares will be determined by a board meeting. Private sector
investors will also receive -without any further burdening- a warrant
offering the option to buy Alpha Bank's shares at a fixed price every
six months for a period of 4-1/2 years. These warrants will be traded
in the Athens Stock Exchange.

Alpha Bank stressed, in a statement, that it will remain in the private
sector on the precondition that it achieves a target for private
investors' participation in a bank recapitalization plan. The bank said
the recapitalization plan will open a new chapter in its 135-year-long
history of the group.

[24] EU-bankers forum looks at investment agency proposals

Optimism for quick and positive results in the negotiations between the
European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB), the KfW German banking
group and French experts aimed at setting  up an investment agency to
take over part of the investment risk in Greece, was expressed by the
speakers who addressed an investment forum held in Athens on Tuesday
within the framework of the initiative "Restarting Economic Growth".

KfW Group vice-president Lutz-Christian Funke noted that a "third
investor" should be introduced in the Greek market in the form of an
agency, not a bank, modeled after KfW but smaller in size, to share
investment risk.

He noted that the banking system across Europe has changed, adding
that a project which a few years ago was funded by four banks now can
be funded by 12 banks "even in Germany where the banking sector is in
better shape". He underlined that KfW can help toward this direction and
that similar investment agencies operate in France and Portugal, pointing
out that the most attractive sector for investments is the energy sector.

Addressing the forum, Invest in Greece Group Executive Chairman
Aristomenis Syngros stated that planning is necessary for the endeavor to
be successful, while National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE)
President Vassilis Korkidis underlined the problem of financing.

Projects to process household waste in Greece, a chronic problem, was
an issue also raised at the conference, with EU fines pending if the
country does not comply with deadlines.

Panel coordinator and president of the Greek Company for Solid Waste
Management Constantinos Aravosis said that political will and corporate
competitors were the main delay factors, besides financial ones, while
other speakers mentioned the inability of Greek banks to finance such
large projects, the lack of clarity in guarantees offered to foreign
investors, which discouraged funding, and lack of information to local
authorities, who reacted to projects on hearsay alone.

[25] Shipyards workers meet defence minister

Workers at the Skaramangas Shipyards held a protest outside the National
Defence Ministry on Tuesday to protest a change in their work schedules,
placed on rotation, and other issues.

The president of the shipyard workers' union and president of the
National Federation of Ironworkers (POEM) met with Defence Minister Panos
Panagiotopoulos, who said, according to sources, that the ministries of
defence and development would meet with shipyards owner Iskandar Safa
within the next two weeks.

The sources said that the defence ministry has allocated 75 million
euros for work to restart on submarines, while the EU has responded
positively to a Greek request that the shipyards be allowed to repair
ships of foreign navies, something currently prohibited. The issue will
also be placed at the discretion of the owner.

Also present at the meeting were the ministry's special secretary Antonis
Economou and the head of the Greek state's arbitration team, professor
Panagiotis Bernitsas.

[26] Eldorado Gold determined to stay in Greece

Eldorado Gold is determined to stay in Greece and dismissed recent
reports that the company was allegedly examining to leave the country.

Eduardo Mura, vice-chairman of Eldorado Hellas, speaking to reporters
during a news conference in Thessaloniki on Tuesday, said: "There
is no evidence that the company was considering to leave", adding
that Eldorado has tripled the number of its workers in one year and
reiterated that exports could reach 1.0 billion US dollars annually
when its activities reached full production capacity. He noted that the
company has offered a 50-million-euro letter of guarantee to safeguard
environmental restoration and stressed that the investment was boosting
liquidity in Northern Greece by 800,000 euros daily.

Mura said the company has completed investments worth 100 million euros in
the last 12 months in its goldmines in Chalkidiki and Thrace and planned
to invest around 1.0 billion euros over the next five years. He said the
company "has many reasons to believe it had the support of the majority
of citizens in the municipality of Aristoteles. "We are open and receptive
to a rational dialogue to win the confidence of those reacting," he said.

Petros Stratoudakis, chief executive of "Hellenic Gold" said the company
will soon become the first company in Greece -since the crisis- to sign
a wage increase contract with its workers.

[27] Vivartia Group expands activities in Libya

Vivartia Group on Tuesday announced the signing of a strategic agreement
to expand its activities in the Libyan market.

The Goody's-Everest group signed an agreement with Libyan company
Tasty Franchise Ltd for the development of Goody's and Flocafe chains
in Libya. Under the agreement, the company will operate a network of at
least 10 Goody's fast-food restaurants and 10 Flocafe units in all large
cities of the country, with the first units expected to begin operations
by this summer.

The group has already signed similar agreements with Albania, Belarus,
FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro and the UAE and is operating networks of more
than 20 units in Cyprus, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.

Commenting on the deal, Yiannis Artinos, chief executive of Vivartia
Group, said: "The group is making its first stop in the developing market
of North Africa. The new agreement with Tasty Franchise Ltd for 20 new
units adds another country to the group's portfolio, aiming at seven
million new consumers."

[28] Egypt lifts restrictions on Greek cotton import

Obstacles preventing the export of Greek cotton to Egypt have been lifted,
the ministry of agriculture and foods announced on Monday.

The Egyptian ministers of foreign trade and agriculture notified
Agriculture and Foods Minister Athanassios Tsaftaris that all measures
prohibiting the import of Greek cotton to the North African country have
been lifted.

Cotton is among the top Greek exports to Egypt and export flows had
recorded a dramatic reduction in the past two years, reaching 85 pct
in the second half of 2012, as a result of the measures imposed by the
Egyptian authorities after citing a emergency situation.

Before the measures were introduced, exports of processed and unprocessed
cotton, were at 71 million euros, corresponding to 34 pct of all Greek
exports to Egypt.

[29] Number of American tourists expected to increase

The number of American tourists visiting Greece, traveling individually
or on cruise ships, is expected to increase, according to the US embassy
in Athens.

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Virginia Bennett on Tuesday conveyed
this forecast to authorities in Chania, on the island of Crete, noting
that Greece is a popular destination for American tourists.

In a meeting with the region's deputy governor Apostolos Voulgarakis
and the city's mayor Manolis Skoulakis, Bennett said that summer season
bookings have increased; she will suggest to her friends and acquaintances
to visit Crete because it is a warm and hospitable place, she added.

The American official also expressed satisfaction for the services
provided to ships that have used local marinas and underlined that US
citizens visiting Greece felt safe.

[30] First low cost airline flight for summer season to Zakynthos

Low cost airline Easy Jet's first flight to Zakynthos for the summer
season was carried out on Tuesday. The flight left from Gatwick airport,
Britain with 156 passengers on board and landed at the Ionian island's
airport.

Easy Jet flights to Zakynthos are scheduled every Sunday and according
to the company another flight within the week will be added in the
near future.

Meanwhile, local tourist entities appear optimistic for the course of
the tourism flow in the summer of 2013.

[31] Civil Aviation Authority employees call 24-hour strike on Thursday

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) employees will hold a 24-hour
strike on Thursday, April 4, to protest a rider on the authority's
reorganisation submitted to parliament by the ministry of development,
competitiveness, infrastructure, transport & networks, it was announced
on Tuesday.

According to the YPA employees' federation (OSYPA), the rider "destroys
the structure of YPA and prepares the ground for the sellout of Greek
state airports with uncontrollable consequences for tourism and local
society."

[32] Olive production, table olive consumption down in 2011-2012, ICAP

Domestic consumption of table olives will drop by 8 pct in 2011-2012,
as opposed to a 25 pct increase recorded in 2010-2011, ICAP Group said
on Monday.

Table olive production increased by 26 pct in 2010-2011, while in the
period 2011-2012 it is expected to drop by 19 pct.

According to ICAP, table olives are mostly sold in bulk. Imports of olives
are very low, as opposed to exports that are very high, corresponding
to a large part of the domestic production. Therefore, trade balance
has remained positive for the past few years.

Greek packaged olives face an intense competition from other European
countries with strong trade labels that control a significant market
share. Competition from third - mainly Mediterranean - countries offering
their products in low prices is also intense.

[33] Business briefs

-- Centric Holdings on Tuesday said its consolidated turnover fell
11.1 pct to 504 million euros in 2012, from 567 million euros in the
previous year.

[34] Greek stocks end significantly lower

Greek stocks ended lower in the Athens stock Exchange on Tuesday,
with market sentiment hit by reports that the troika's was allegedly
expressing reservations over a National Bank-Eurobank merger plan ahead
of completion of a bank recapitalization plan this month. Analysts said
that a wave of forthcoming share capital increase plans by banks would
burden a fragile market.

The composite index of the market fell 1.48 pct to end at 856.29 points,
off the day's lows of 843.81 points. Turnover was a low 46.753 million
euros.

The Big Cap index fell 1.79 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 2.10 pct
lower. The Commerce (3.05 pct), Travel (1.77 pct) and Food (0.97 pct)
sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Health
(12.21 pct), Raw Materials (8.02 pct), Financial Services (7.08 pct)
and Banks (4.33 pct) suffered heavy losses.

Intralot (3.83 pct), Folli Follie (3.10 pct) and OPAP (1.46 pct) were
top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Eurobank (14.29 pct0, MIG
(11.15 pct) and Alpha Bank (8.45 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 95 to 42 with another 18 issues
unchanged. G.E.Demetriou (28.57 pct), Crete Constructions (21.15 pct)
and Hellenic Sugar (20.55 pct) were top gainers, while Teletypos (20 pct),
Vioter (19.78 pct) and Alsinco (19.23 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: -5.30%

Commercial: +3.05%

Construction: -0.45%

Oil & Gas: -0.42%

Personal & Household: +0.38%

Raw Materials: -8.02%

Travel & Leisure: +1.77%

Technology: -2.94%

Telecoms: -4.24%

Banks: -4.33%

Food & Beverages: +0.97%

Health: -12.21%

Utilities: -6.30%

Financial Services: -7.06%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OTE, Coca Cola 3E, National
Bank and PPC.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.65

Public Power Corp (PPC): 5.20

HBC Coca Cola: 21.10

Hellenic Petroleum: 7.47

National Bank of Greece: 0.63

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.21

OPAP: 6.25

OTE: 4.52

Bank of Piraeus: 0.19

Titan: 13.00

[35] Greek bond market closing report

The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds
eased slightly in the domestic electronic secondary bond market on
Tuesday, with the Greek bond yielding 12.41 pct and the German Bund 1.31
pct. Turnover totaled 8.0 million euros, of which 5.0 million euros were
buy orders and the remaining 3.0 million were sell orders.

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-monnth
rate was 0.54 pct, the nine-month rate was 0.44 pct, the six-month rate
was 0.33 pct, the three-month rate was 0.21 pct and the one-month rate
was 0.12 pct.

[36] ADEX closing report

The June contract on the FTSE Large Cap index was trading at a discount
of 3.61 pct in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tuesday, with turnover
remaining a low 8.995 million euros. Volume on the Big Cap index totaled
2,594 contracts worth 3.452 million euros, with 26,971 open positions
in the market.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 29,948 contracts worth
5.543 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Alpha Bank's
contracts (7,017), followed by National Bank (5,929), Piraeus Bank
(6,398), OTE (2,817), PPC (2,202), Mytilineos (1,422), OPAP (748), GEK
(692), Hellenic Petroleum (298), Eurobank (124), MIG (253), Intralot
(714), Jumbo (199) and Metka (106).

[37] Foreign Exchange rates - Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.303

Pound sterling  0.859

Danish kroner  7.566

Swedish kroner  8.435

Japanese yen  121.59

Swiss franc  1.234

Norwegian kroner  7.579

Canadian dollar  1.320

Australian dollar  1.245

General News

[38] Three flight officers get top distinctions in NATO training camp

Three officers of the Greek Air Force received distinctions after
completing NATO's Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) at the Albacete
air base in Spain from March 4 to 27.

Captain Theoharis Katsaros was voted best trainee in the group; first
lieutenant Ioannis Sianos was voted second best, a rank held by other
trainees as well; and major Marinos Bogatinis, a TLP trainer, was voted
best trainer for the third time in a row.

The programme trains NATO pilots in creating and leading combined air
operations (COMAO). Participant countries included Greece with four Mirage
2000-5s, Belgium, Holland and the US with ten F-16s, as well as France,
Italy, the UK and Poland with fighter aircraft including helicopters
and other electronically-controlled craft.

[39] Plan for University Space Research Center in Kalamata proposed by
US Messinian organisations

Plans for the creation of a University Space Research Center in the wider
region of Kalamata that could also include a launch center for space
shuttles outside the earth's atmosphere, combined with the prospects of
developing 'space tourism' in the area, were presented to Kalamata Mayor
Panagiotis Nikas by the president of the "Aristomenes" Association of
Messinians of New York Spyros Yannopoulos, vice-president of the Messinian
Amphictyony and representative of the Messinian Associations of America
George Dimopoulos and Amphictyony secretary general Panagiotis Bazigos.

The plan is an initiative of American scientist Prof. Pericles
Papadopoulos, who is of Messinian origin, will be funded by private
capital and will have the support of NASA, the representatives of the
Messinian associations told the Mayor, adding that the government has
also been informed.

Details of the plan will be presented by Prof. Papadopoulos himself when
he visits Greece this summer.

The US Messinians' representatives said that, apart from
Prof. Papadopoulos' desire to contribute to his land of origin, studies
have shown that the geographical position of the Kalamata region, at a
spot that joins Europe, Asia and Africa, is conducive to the development
of "space tourism".

The Mayor expressed the municipality's agreement with the plan, and
called for more specialised proposals.

Mayor Nikas told AMNA that it is a "pioneer plan" which, if it goes
ahead, will create developmental prospects not only for the city of
Kalamata but also for the entire Peloponnese and will contribute to
scientific research and to upgrading the University of Peloponnese,
"which cannot remain outside the plan, since we are talking about a
university research center".

He said that although the creation of a university space research
center appears to be an ambitious project, the Greeks, and especially
the Messinians, have proved throughout history that they are capable of
major, and not small and unimportant, endeavors.

"In these tough times the country is going through, with the deep
economic crisis, we need or to have vision, to plan and work with our
eyes on the future and the coming generations," Mayor Nikas said.

[40] First TEDMED conference to open April 21 at Onassis Cultural Centre

The first TEDMED (Technology, Entertainment, Design Medicine) conference
in Athens will open on Sunday, April 21, at the Onassis Cultural Centre,
on Syngrou Avenue, with talks focusing on a common dream - improving
the future through health and medicine.

Following the format of the successful TED conferences in the US - of an
event "devoted to ideas worth spreading" - the Athens conference will hear
"representatives of health sectors and innovative leaders in business,
academics, technology, research, mass media and culture" who will speak
and then share their ideas in discussion with the public.

Greek speakers include Despina Sanoudou, assistant professor of
pharmacology in the Athens Medical School, who became a lecturer at
Harvard University's Medical School when she was 27. She will speak on
allergic reactions to medication, and what patients can do about it,
including tailoring therapy to individuals.

Also speaking will be doctor Stelios Kybouropoulos, psychiatrist in
training at the Attikon University Hospital who was born with spinal
muscular atrophy and who will speak how the effectiveness of drug
treatment can be improved through a better doctor-patient relationship.

[41] German students visit Peloponnese

Ten students from the vocational training school Walter-Hecker-Schule
in Kassel, Germany, accompanied by their teachers, visited the village
of Karioupoli in Gythio, Peloponnese in southern Greece, for a month
within the framework of the "Ger-Mani" (Germany-Mani) programme.

The visit was funded by the IdA European programme allowing students
from across Europe to enrich their vocational training with experience
gained from visiting different European countries.

During their stay, the German students visited Athens, Corinth, Nafplio,
Argos, the archaeological site of Mycenae and Monemvasia.

[42] Half ton of hashish seized in Igoumenitsa port

Igoumenitsa coast guards located and confiscated 577 kilos of hashish
at midnight Monday hidden in a truck in the city's port.

The illegal cargo, destined for Italy, was hidden under a load of wood
and olives in a Greek-registered open-back truck driven by a Bulgarian
national.

Officials found 14 bags of hashish separated into one-kilo packets.

According to sources, the truck had left Athens for Corfu, where it
loaded the cargo, and then on to Igoumenitsa to board a ferry for the
Italian port of Bari.

The Greek owner of the truck as well as the Bulgarian driver were
arrested.

[43] Wildfire in Laconia is under control

A large wildfire in the region of Koumousta in Laconia prefecture,
southern Greece, was put under control on Tuesday, a day after it broke
out, after burning many acres of an area undergoing reforestation along
Mt. Taygetus in the Peloponnese.

Firefighters will remain in the region until the fire is fully contained.

[44] Two new wildfires in Laconia prefecture

Two new wildfires broke out in the Peloponnese region of Laconia on
Tuesday and have spreading due to strong winds blowing in the area.

The first fire started at noon at Karyes, Mt Parnonas, and the second
broke out one hour later at Karavostasi Itilou, Mani.

Strong fire brigade forces from all over the Peloponnese and volunteer
groups are struggling to control the fires, but their efforts are being
hampered by the strong winds.

The large number of wildfires in Laconia over the past few days have
alarmed authorities, and a delegation of the Arson Crime Department
arrived in the city of Sparti on Monday to conduct an investigation.

Weather forecast

[45] Rainy on Wednesday

Rainy weather and southerly winds are forecast in most parts of the
country on Wednesday. Winds 3-8 beaufort. Temperatures between 7C and
20C. Slightly cloudy in Athens with local showers and northerly 3-5
beaufort winds and temperatures between 11C and 20C. Same in Thessaloniki
with temperatures between 9C and 17C.

[46] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVGHI: "The black hole that swallows the government".

DIMOKRATIA: "What is happening with National Bank of Greece".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Maximos Mansion (government headquarters) blackmail:
Surtax or new measures".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Tax Bureau's ultimatum for the overdue debts".

ELLADA AVRIO: "Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to coalition government
partners (PASOK leader

Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis): Either
we agree, or elections".

ESTIA: "How an economy is destroyed".

ETHNOS: "2,700 euros benefit to 35,000 unemployed".

IMERISSIA: "Banking 'fever'."

KATHIMERINI: "News for the tranche in May".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Drat EU Directive for the new banking landscape'.

RIZOSPASTIS: "Government prepares new devastating measures for the
working classes".

TA NEA:" 'Oil hopes' from Ionian Sea and Crete".

VRADYNI: "The trains that depart (Germans, French, Russians and Chinese
vie for TRAINOSE)".

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