Economy
 Cosco's 369 mln Piraeus Port improved bid accepted, seals latest privatisation
 Cosco's 369 mln Piraeus Port improved bid accepted, seals latest privatisation         
        
        
        Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund said on Wednesday afternoon it accepted COSCO’s improved financial offer for the sale of 67 percent stake in Piraeus Port Authority (OLP).
 Primary cash surplus improves 2.5 times to 3.49 bln in 2015
 Primary cash surplus improves 2.5 times to 3.49 bln in 2015         
        
        
        Greece’s central government primary cash surplus substantially improved by almost 2.5 times to 3.49 billion in 2015 from 1.42 billion in 2014, Bank of Greece (BoG) figures displayed on Wednesday.
 Current account deficit at 1.22 bln in Nov, down 18.6 pct
 Current account deficit at 1.22 bln in Nov, down 18.6 pct         
        
        
        After recording a surplus in the preceding five months, Greece's current account (C/A) balance posted a deficit of 1.22 billion euros in November down by 18.6 percent from last years’ figure, Bank of Greece (BoG) data displayed on Wednesday.
 Where things stand on the Greek pension reform proposals
 Where things stand on the Greek pension reform proposals         
        
        
        The submission of the government’s pension reform plan to the institutions on January 4 marked the start of the effort to settle perhaps the toughest issue in the first programme review.
 Stable credit standards and mixed trends in demand for Greek loans in Q4
 Stable credit standards and mixed trends in demand for Greek loans in Q4         
        
        
        Credit standards for both corporate and household loans were kept broadly unchanged in the last quarter (Q4) of 2015, Bank of Greece (BoG) bank lending survey (BLS) data displayed on Tuesday.
 Industrial turnover drops 10.1 pct in November, for thirteenth straight fall
 Industrial turnover drops 10.1 pct in November, for thirteenth straight fall         
        
        
        The fall in Greece’s Turnover Index in Industry decelerated to 10.1 percent in November following a revised 18.8 percent drop in October, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Tuesday. A similar decline of 10.7 percent was also posted over the past twelve months.
 ELA funding down by 8.6 bln in Dec for sharpest drop since July
 ELA funding down by 8.6 bln in Dec for sharpest drop since July         
        
        
        Greek banks’ Eurosystem funding continued heading south for the sixth straight month dropping by 5.89 billion in December after a 5.98 billion fall in November, Bank of Greece's (BoG) 2015 balance sheet showed on Monday.
 Pension reform brings painful overhaul in social security contributions for self-employed
 Pension reform brings painful overhaul in social security contributions for self-employed         
        
        
        One of the issues that emerged from the government’s draft plan on pension reform submitted to the institutions on January 4 relates to new method for calculating social security contributions for the self-employed.
 Greek stocks down by 4.7 pct over week
 Greek stocks down by 4.7 pct over week         
        
        
        The Greek stock market shed 4.7 percent this week on slightly lighter volumes but amid continued weakness in the global markets.
 2015 primary surplus exceeds target as revenues outperform and expenditure is reined in
 2015 primary surplus exceeds target as revenues outperform and expenditure is reined in         
        
        
        Greece’s budget primary balance reached 2.27 billion in 2015 up by 21.1 percent from the 2014 figure of 1.87 billion, the Finance Ministry (MoF) preliminary budget bulletin showed on Friday afternoon.