Brussels raises Greece's growth estimate to 2.4 pct

The European Commission has improved - albeit marginally - its estimate on Greek growth this year to 2.4 percent in its Winter 2020 Economic Forecast, against 2.3 percent in its fall outlook. However, this figure continues to lag the government estimate of 2.8 percent and is much closer to that of the Bank of Greece (2.5 percent).

The improved forecast and the Commission's generally positive projections released on Thursday have boosted the government's hopes that the creditors will publish an improved debt sustainability analysis that will in turn facilitate negotiations aimed at attaining lower primary surpluses and greater fiscal leeway.

On Thursday Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni dropped hints about a favorable decision by the Eurogroup in June regarding the use of eurozone central banks' earnings from Greek bond holdings (SMP and ANFA profits) for...

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