Athens (AFP)
The Greek economy will grow by at least 3.6% this year despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the violent fires which have dealt a severe blow to activity, the Minister of Finance said on Friday.
"Our estimate of 3.6% growth this year is absolutely achievable, and might even be too cautious," Christos Staikouras assured Mega TV.
In 2020, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Greece had plunged by 8.2%.
This optimism is justified in particular by the better-than-expected recovery of tourism, a key sector of the Greek economy hit hard last year by the health restrictions linked to Covid-19.
"It's a good year compared to last year. Compared to our estimates (...) it's much better," he said about tourist arrivals.
Athens had so far expected to recover 45% of 2019 tourist attendance this year, but traveler arrivals are currently at 70%, he added.
Greece reopened to tourists in May after an intense campaign to vaccinate residents of many popular tourist islands, as well as other resort destinations.
With more than 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP), tourism is a crucial sector for the Greek economy.
Faced with the resurgence of the coronavirus in parts of the country, the Greek authorities have declared local curfews, notably on the "party" island, Mykonos.
Similar restrictions have also been put in place on the tourist island of Zakynthos, as well as in the two main towns of Crete, Chania and Heraklion, where curfews have been extended by a few days.
Greece has also just suffered violent fires that destroyed hundreds of small businesses and caused considerable damage to the environment.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the release of 500 million euros in aid for the victims of the fires and reconstruction in the affected areas.
© 2021 AFP