Economy

Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Koundoura visited the Horeca Tourism Sector trade show on Sunday at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition center. She said that one of the priorities of the Tourism Industry is to make the tourism season last longer and make Greece an all-year-round travel destination.

The 10th Horeca expo trade show runs through to February 9.

Elen

EU international trade in services increased in 2013, with EU exports of services to the rest of the world rising by 5%, from ?676 billion in 2012 to ?710 bn in 2013, and EU imports by 3%, from ?515 bn to ?532 bn. As a result, the EU surplus in trade in services increased in 2013 to ?178 bn, compared with +?161 bn in 2012.

The apparent suicide of Heinz-Joachim Neuburger, former chief financial officer of Siemens, this week is still shrouded in mystery. The man was found dead under a railroad bridge in Munich, says one source. The Munich police confirmed that a person apparently jumped from Grosshesseloher Bridge, but they did not disclose the identity of that person or confirm if it was indeed Neuburger.

Finance ministers and central bankers face a tough task coordinating action to spur global growth at G-20 meetings this week, with major economies running at different speeds and monetary policies diverging.

Finance ministers and central bank governors of the world?s 20 leading economies will meet in Istanbul between Feb. 9 and 10 in the first meeting under Turkey?s G-20 presidency.

The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Cabinet meeting on Saturday ran for five hours. In his briefing, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis described an "asphyxiating environment" as far as Greece's financing is concerned. He noted that pressure is being applied to the new government, although the latter cannot appear to back down.

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovicki said that local self-governments must be sustainable and that the downsizing process will be carried out for that purpose.

Greece said on Saturday it had no short-term cash problem and that it will hand its European Union partners a comprehensive plan next week for managing the transition to a new debt deal.

The EU has warned time is running out to avoid a financing crisis in Greece.

During a press briefing by Gerry Rice, the Communications Department Director of the International Monetary Fund, most of the attention was focused on Greece.

Below is a Q&A transcript of what was said:

The head of a new ministry created by the government to crack down on corruption is preparing a barrage of inspections on wealthy Greeks who are unable to justify the source of their income, Kathimerini understands.