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23 September 2013

Kathimerini: Troika sceptical about Greece's primary surplus


The troika said any surplus this year would be minimal, and was equally sceptical about the 1.5 per cent surplus projected for the end of next year.

It is thought that one of the reasons Greece’s lenders are downplaying the possibility of Athens producing a sizable surplus is that they are alarmed by the debate in Greece about how this amount will be allocated and whether social spending could be increased.

With regard to the 2014 budget, the troika still has doubts about the effectiveness, in terms of revenue raising, of the unified property tax. Next year will be the first time the levy, which combines several property taxes into one, is applied.

Troika officials are paying particular attention to the state of Greece’s tax administration, which will be key to whether the government can hit its revenue targets. Any lack of convergence with the revenue goals agreed with the troika would make further fiscal measures necessary.

Greece’s Finance Ministry also informed the troika that the government would not meet its target of paying off this year all of the €8 billion in arrears that it had amassed.

Full article



© Kathimerini


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