Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras hailed 2018 as a “critical year when we finish with support programmes and close surveillance and move on to the next day for the country: a day of productivity, creativity, sustainable and equitable growth and economic democracy,” while speaking on Thursday at an event organised by the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE).
“The right conditions are in place thanks to the systematic efforts made. The country’s public finances are now in order. Business climate and economic confidence indicators have recovered and we see improvement day by day,” he said.
“This is not a fragile, passing recovery but a gradual upward course of the Greek economy. Everyone, from our partners to renowned international analysts, expects that growth rates in 2018 and the years to come will exceed 2 pct,” he stated.
“We are ready and prepared for the next day,” Tsipras added.
“In all my recent public statements, I have addressed a sincerely call to all the productive forces of the country to rally around a common effort, a meaningful and sincere dialogue to regain the lost time. Because now is the right time for the country to make a dynamic return to the forefront.”
For this purpose – and with the assistance of regional conferences, as the prime minister observed – “we are developing a coherent, forward-looking development plan, which is suitable for returning our country as a serious contender to the globalised competitive environment.”