Undoubtedly, the
New Year of 2002 was a particularly significant one for Greece, which
together with Finland, due to their geographical position, where the
first European countries to welcome in the Euro zone. It is
characteristic that for six consecutive years, Greece's rate of growth
in GDP was higher than the corresponding European average. At the end
of 2001 Greece had the highest rate of real convergence with the
average European level of income since 1981, the year that Greece
joined the European Community.
Despite
this, the Greek government is also focusing its efforts on reducing
the level of unemployment, which in 2001 was around 10.9% Despite the
important achievements over recent years, changes in the landscape of
the Greek economy are continuing at rapid rates, mainly at the level
of reforms in the public sector and public administration in general.
In addition funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework, public
works for the 2004 Olympic Games and public and private investment in
general are expected to significantly bolster the productive capacity
of the Greek economy.Economic climate indicators have already begun to
improve again (compare to strong fluctuation after 11th September) and
are even at higher levels than the corresponding indicators for the
European Union and the Euro Area (Source: Results of Economic
Convergence Surveys, December 2001 - The Foundation for Economic and
Industrial Research).
