Nikos Pappas

The story of the so-called "digital levy" (the new 2-6 percent tax on cell phones, tablets, computers etc) has highlighted the complete lack of any official strategy to help the digital technology sector to grow.

The government appears ready to reconsider a 2 percent levy on smartphones and computers.

According to Wednesday statements by Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas, who was among the ministers who signed the relevant amendment, the measure introduced by the Culture Ministry is to be reviewed.

Greece's left-led government will reconsider a controversial decision to impose a one-off 2 percent levy on electronic appliances such as smartphones, tablets and computers, Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas has said.

The levy,  included in an amendment tabled in Parliament Tuesday, is in favor of copyright holders.

Distinguished Greek-American scientist Stamatios Krimigis, who recently resigned as director of Greece's newly-established Hellenic Space Agency (HSA) just weeks into his tenure, has accused the leftist-led government of turning the organization into a plum position for party cronies.

Conservative opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday vowed to scrap the Ministry of Digital Policy, currently led by SYRIZA's Nikos Pappas, when New Democracy comes to power, accusing the leftist-led government of undermining the progress of Greece's digital technology sector which includes 8,000 businesses that contribute 8 percent to gross domestic product.

Distinguished Greek-American scientist Stamatios Krimigis has resigned as director of Greece's newly established Hellenic Space Agency (HSA) just weeks into his tenure, it emerged on Wednesday.

The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) has refused a request by BBC producers for a one-day permit to film scenes next month at the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounio for an upcoming miniseries based on a spy novel by John le Carre.

The newly founded Israel-Greece Chamber of Commerce and Industry staged in Tel Aviv a presentation of the Greek economy to some 200 Israeli entrepreneurs, in the presence of Greek and Israeli officials who recommended Greece for investments.

Digital Economy Minister Nikos Pappas has met with US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in Washington for talks that focused on bilateral ties and the Greek economy. 

In a post on Twitter, Pappas said he and Ross discussed the "very good course" of Greek-American relations and the "positive prospects for the Greek economy."

Olympiakos and Panathinaikos kept up the chase on Euroleague leader CSKA Moscow with their precious away wins over Efes and Red Star respectively to complete another perfect week for the Greek teams in the competition with four wins in as many matches.