3rd Euro-Arab Summit-Tsipras: We are leaving the recessionary programmes behind us
"Three years ago, Greece had just begun to lay the foundations for its economic recovery and the recovery of its geopolitical role in the wider region. Today, we are certain that Greece is turning the page," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Monday addressing the 3rd Euro-Arab Synod held in Athens.
"We are leaving the recessionary programmes behind us; we have achieved ever higher growth rates, and we are becoming again an attractive investment destination," Tsipras said.
Referring to the fundamentals, he said that "growth is seen at 2.1 pct in 2018 and 2.5 pct in 2019 - and these are the highest rates of the last decade, even before the crisis."
He added that exports and investments are key drivers, with an increase of over 7 pct and 13 pct respectively in 2018, while he noted that the tourism sector is booming with 35 million visitors in 2018.
In addition to "extremely positive performance on the economy, social indicators have also outperformed," Tsipras said, referring to the reduction of unemployment by 8 points, with the rate now moving to 19 pct compared to 27 pct.
He stressed that the extrovert sectors of the economy, such as tourism, construction, transport are among the main sources of employment growth, which accounts for 70 pct of full-time jobs.
Source: amna-mpa
