-Antonis Samaras, Greece Prime Minister
After months of drawn-out negotiations the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF also known as Troika, managed to agree with Greek government on the next instalment of the nation's massive bailout. The latest agreement clears the way for another payment of loans totalling 10.1 billion euros. The sum is vital for the highly-indebted Greece, as the government will have to repay billions in maturing government securities at the end of May. Greece Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, however, refused to give any details, as he was pleased by the fact he managed to finish debates just in time before May's European election. Nevertheless, he managed to announce a reduction of social security contributions starting from July, a move that was intended to provide additional boost to the labour. The latest reforms will be aimed at almost all sectors of the Greek struggling economy, starting with taxes on foodstuffs to fixed prices on books and up to sales restrictions on drugs from other countries.
Another positive news for Greek economy is the first bank bond sales since 2009. Piraeus Bank SA managed to sell 500 million euros of bonds, while Infrastructure Minister Michalis Chrisochoides promised that country will sell its debt for the first time in more than four years before May. The nation's government securities have gained 18% this year through March 17, posting the biggest hike among 15 Eurozone debt markets tracked by Bloomberg.
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