Gov't shifts focus to growth with series of regional conferences

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras plans this week to launch a government drive to transform the positive outcome of last month's Eurogroup deal into benefits for the real economy, starting with the first of a series of regional growth conferences in Kozani, northern Greece. 

With fresh bailout funding in the bag - the Eurogroup is expected to disburse 7.7 billion euros on Monday - Greek authorities want to shift the narrative to one of growth.

The Kozani event on Monday and Tuesday is one of many the government is planning to assess the economic priorities of different regions as part of a broader goal to boost growth.

Tsipras has already briefed his cabinet and top aides on the need to focus on rebooting the economy, attracting new investments and nailing down existing ones, including the real estate project at the old Athens airport in Elliniko and the Kastelli...