Greek government submits 2009 budget to parliament

07/10/2008

ATHENS, Greece -- The government on Monday (October 6th) submitted its 2009 draft budget to parliament, including eight main targets for the coming year. It calls for further reducing deficits; enhancing fiscal transparency; streamlining management of state enterprises, local governments and state hospitals; implementing additional tax reforms; cutting unemployment; tackling poverty through the operation of the National Social Cohesion Fund and intensifying development of the country's provinces, as well as boosting investments and ensuring satisfactory growth rates. The draft budget envisions a 3% GDP growth and a reduction of the deficit to 1.8% of GDP in 2009. (To Vima, Ta nea, Elephterotypia - 07/10/08; ANA-MPA, ERT, AP, Naftemporiki, Kathimerini - 06/10/08)