Economy
 Samaras sets out New Democracy's plans for growth
 Samaras sets out New Democracy's plans for growth         
        
        
        Following the presentation of SYRIZA’s updated economic policies on January 3, Prime Minister and New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras outlined his party’s programme for “Growth and Reforms – Greece 2021” on Saturday.
 Greek industrial production on the up again in November, rising by 2.3 pct
 Greek industrial production on the up again in November, rising by 2.3 pct         
        
        
        The Greek Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 2.3 percent in November following a downward revised 0.4 percent drop in October, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
 Greek exports rise by 6.6 pct in November to trim trade deficit
 Greek exports rise by 6.6 pct in November to trim trade deficit         
        
        
        The drop in Greece’s trade deficit accelerated to 10.7 percent in November after easing by 4.4 percent in October, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
 What is SYRIZA planning to do with Greek banks?
 What is SYRIZA planning to do with Greek banks?         
        
        
        SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras has repeatedly outlined the party’s immediate economic policies which mainly involve three key themes: asking for a significant reduction of nominal debt, renegotiation with the eurozone on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) policies and implementation of a 3-pillar programme with a total cost estimated at 11.4 billion euros.
 Greek time deposit rate down to 1.88 pct in November, lowest since euro entry
 Greek time deposit rate down to 1.88 pct in November, lowest since euro entry         
        
        
        The interest rate on households’ new time deposits dropped by another 6 basis points (bps) to 1.88 percent in November, according to the Bank of Greece (BoG). This is the lowest reading since Greece accessed the euro area in 2002.
 Greek unemployment drops slightly to 25.8 pct in October on lower jobless
 Greek unemployment drops slightly to 25.8 pct in October on lower jobless         
        
        
        The seasonally adjusted (SA) unemployment rate eased for the second successive month to 25.8 percent in October from an upward revised 26 percent in September, according to the Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT).
 Greek economic sentiment and consumer confidence fall sharply in December
 Greek economic sentiment and consumer confidence fall sharply in December         
        
        
        After improving in the preceding two months, Greece’s economic sentiment (ESI) fell by 3.8 points to 98.9 in December from 102.7 in November, according to the European Commission (EC).
 General government cash surplus widens to 3.68 bln in November, arrears down by 502 mln
 General government cash surplus widens to 3.68 bln in November, arrears down by 502 mln         
        
        
        The Greek general government (gg) primary cash surplus further widened to 3.68 billion in the 11-month period of 2014, 2.4 times above the 1.53 billion in the corresponding period last year, according the gg bulletin published by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
 How SYRIZA says it will fund its economic policies
 How SYRIZA says it will fund its economic policies         
        
        
        Beyond whether SYRIZA is able to secure debt restructuring and a renegotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), one of the key questions regarding a leftist government would be about the funding of the 3-pillar programme initially revealed at the International Trade Fair (ITF) in Thessaloniki last September.
 Greek bond yields at post-PSI high as Athens bourse continues plunge
 Greek bond yields at post-PSI high as Athens bourse continues plunge         
        
        
        The Greek stock market continued heading south for the second straight session on Wednesday, when it fell by 1.46 percent.