Economy
 Industrial production rises by 1.8 pct in November
 Industrial production rises by 1.8 pct in November         
        
        
        Greece’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) resumed an upward trend in November, when it rose by 1.8 percent following a drop of 1.9 percent in October, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) data showed on Friday.
 General government primary cash surplus widens notably to 5.14 bln at end of Nov
 General government primary cash surplus widens notably to 5.14 bln at end of Nov         
        
        
        Greece’s general government (gg) primary cash surplus widened further in November, increasing by almost 40 percent to 5.14 billion euros in the 11-month period of 2015 from 3.68 billion during the same period a year earlier, the Finance Ministry (MoF) gg bulletin showed on Thursday.
 Unemployment edges down to 24.5 pct in Oct, lowest since May 2012
 Unemployment edges down to 24.5 pct in Oct, lowest since May 2012         
        
        
        Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued its slight downward trend easing to 24.5 percent in October from 24.6 percent in September, the Hellenic Statistics Authority (ELSTAT) latest figure displayed on Thursday.
 Economic sentiment and consumer confidence improve in Dec
 Economic sentiment and consumer confidence improve in Dec         
        
        
        After remaining stable in November, Greece’s economic sentiment (ESI) edged up by 0.6 points to 87.1 in December, European Commission (EC) figures revealed on Thursday.
 Trade deficit slips by 1.8 pct in Nov on higher drop in exports
 Trade deficit slips by 1.8 pct in Nov on higher drop in exports         
        
        
        Greece’s trade deficit fell by 1.8 percent in November after a short-lived rise of 17.3 percent in October, Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) figures showed on Thursday.
 Gov't hits back as pension reform row heats up
 Gov't hits back as pension reform row heats up         
        
        
        The government has hit back in the public relations battle over its proposed pension reforms by trying to rebut criticism from New Democracy point-by-point.
 Gov't submits reform plan that raises contributions and cuts future pensions
 Gov't submits reform plan that raises contributions and cuts future pensions         
        
        
        The government disclosed on Monday afternoon its final proposal for a unified social security system, which was sent to the institutions ahead of the first programme review later this month.
 PMI above 50 points in Dec for first time in 16 months but underlying problems remain
 PMI above 50 points in Dec for first time in 16 months but underlying problems remain         
        
        
        Greece’s Manufacturing PMI edged over the 50-point mark, which separates growth from contraction, and reached 50.2 in December from 48.1 in November, Markit’s survey showed on Monday.
 Coalition poised to unveil pension reform proposals, hoping to avoid cuts
 Coalition poised to unveil pension reform proposals, hoping to avoid cuts         
        
        
        The Greek government appears to have finalised its proposals on pension reform and is set to submit them to the institutions ahead of the start of the first programme review in mid-January.
 Retail sales fall at slightly slower pace of 3.9 pct in Oct
 Retail sales fall at slightly slower pace of 3.9 pct in Oct         
        
        
        The turnover of Greece’s retail trade index continued heading south in October, when it dropped by 3.9 percent from a 5.3 percent decrease in September, Hellenic Statistical Agency (ELSTAT) data showed on December 31.