Christos Staikouras

State coffers are opening as of next week for a series of payments to individuals and corporations as the government seeks to support the economy.

Next week will see the payment of the heating subsidy, the start of the fifth disbursement of the cheap state loans, more compensation to landlords for lost rental revenues and the state subsidy for corporate loan repayments.

The government's proposed legislation for strengthening the Economic and Social Council of Greece (ESC), which is set to be unveiled for public consultation, seeks to act in three directions, Finance Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras stated in the plenary session of the Council on Monday.

Landlords have suffered during the pandemic from the forced reduction of rents, with the compensation from the state taking longer than expected to reach their bank accounts.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras stated that landlords would get their compensation for November before midnight on Monday, while the compensation for December's losses would be paid out by February 15.

The payment of the fifth stage of the cheap state loans program known as the "Deposit To Be Returned" will begin on Monday, January 25, 10 days after the deadline for application submissions this Friday.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras confirmed on Saturday that the government intends to expand the loan repayment tranche subsidy program for mortgage holders, known as "Gefyra" (Bridge), to businesses.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras announced on Thursday that the ministry is preparing a sixth round of state loans to enterprises and the self-employed professionals, known as the "Deposit To Be Returned," in March, based on turnover and incomes in the January-March period.

Newly appointed Greek government spokesman Christos Tarantilis announced the makeup of the government on Monday, following a reshuffle by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that saw most key ministers stay put.

The Finance Ministry has launched procedures for the early repayment of a 3.6-billion-euro chunk of a loan received from the International Monetary Fund.

The repayment in question will cover loans ending in 2021 and 2022, Minister Christos Staikouras said on Monday.

After six years of no progress and processes that went back and forth without result, the Hellenic Vehicle Industry (ELVO) could finally become a lever for growth for Greece's economy, especially in the country's north, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras assured investors participating in an online conference organized by Capital Link on Tuesday that the fact Greece enjoys fiscal flexibility does not mean there is no discipline.