World Media on Greece - Special Reports
World Bank Group Report: Ease of Doing Business improved in Greece
Greece cut the minimum capital requirement to start a business by 80%, reduced capital tax and made publication of company statutes quicker. It also introduced electronic payment of social security tax, and passed a new bankruptcy law that is expected to allow more companies in distress to emerge as going concerns. Finally, Greece strengthened director accountability by making it easier for shareholders to sue directors for damages caused by related-party transactions. The Doing Business Report, published by the World Bank Group, is tracking reforms aimed at simplifying business regulations, strengthening property rights, opening up access to credit and enforcing contracts in 181 economies. Greece's areas of reform were: Starting a Business, Protecting Investors, Paying Taxes, Closing a Business. Read more.. |
According to the
Greece has 26th best nation brand
East West Nation Branding Global Index 200: Quarterly and annual rankings of 200 countries and territories, including all 192 UN members, based on how they are described in major media. This initial index tracked five million mentions of countries and territories in 38 leading media sources, between April 1 and June 30, 2008. |
GEO Histoire & Le nouvel Observateur: Specials on Ancient Greece
The issue n.09 (June-July-August 2008) of "GEO Histoire", entitled "La Grèce Antique" is about the Hellenic world as the inventor of the polis, democracy, theatre and philosophy. The focus is on Greek civilization, culture, mythology and on geographical areas rich in cultural heritage such as Crete, Cyclades and the Peloponnese. In the editorial by Jaen-Luc Marty it is suggested that the definitive "summer journey" is a journey to the history of Greece, a land once inhabited by gods and heroes. The special issue n.69 (July-August 2008) of "Le nouvel Observateur" is dedicated to the century of Pericles, featuring articles on the place of women in Athens, the building of the Acropolis, the sophist philosophers, the invention of democracy and the education system. Clause Weill in the editorial notes that the shortcomings of our contemporary political system and the need to understand what has gone wrong was the inspiration behind this special on the century of Pericles, a century described as a "momentum of democracy". |
Two wide-circulation French magazines, "Le Nouvel Observateur" and "GEO Histoire" have published specials on Greece.
Financial Times Report: Greece 2008
Read the full report here. |
The annual Financial Times report on Greece for the year 2008 is out. Some of the articles inside this issue: 
Athens sends investors positive signals
National Bank of Greece: Economic and Market Analysis - Greece
In the future, the continued restructuring of the Greek economy’s production and exporting structure with the help of the SE European inputs, further assimilation of immigrants in the economy, and the strong foothold of Greek firms in this rapidly growing region are expected to continue supporting economic growth in Greece. Read the full report here (March 2008). |
Interlinkages between SE Europe and Greece provide significant positive growth synergies: According to this National Bank of Greece analysis, the increasing integration of the Greek economy with SE Europe is estimated to have added about 0.6% to annual Greek economic growth during the past decade.
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2008
Greece is ranked 22nd, with rich cultural resources (ranked 16th), excellent health and hygiene (ranked 16th overall), and top-notch tourism infrastructure (9th). Greece is second to none in terms of the country’s overall prioritization of Travel & Tourism. Further, there is a strong national affinity for tourism compared with many other European countries, including a generally open and positive attitude toward tourists (17th). Disadvantages include prices, rules and regulations, road infrastructure and staffing. Read the full report here. |
Greece moved up two notches, to 22nd place from 24th last year, amongst 130 countries in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2008, as presented by the World Economic Forum.
The World's Greenest Countries
The 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of Yale University ranks 149 countries on 25 indicators tracked across six established policy categories: Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Climate Change Change. Greece has ranked 44 among 149 countries, rank which places Greece in the top 30%, with an 80.2% EPI. Read the full report here.
The Greek Energy Sector: Developments and Opportunities (Balkanalysis.com, 25.01.2008)
On the three major fronts of alternative energy, oil and gas Greece has made several initiatives, projects and proposed projects; the outcome of these efforts will determine Greece’ stature as an international energy power well into the 21st century. Read more... |
Greece’s unique geo-economic location between the energy producers of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caspian, as well as the vital transport routes of the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, define it as an expanding energy hub between East and West.
