In a detailed report published Monday, the German newspaper Handelsblatt spotlighted Greece’s impressive economic performance, emphasizing its bailout loan repayment ahead of schedule.
“The country’s primary surplus is bigger than anticipated, largely due to increased tax revenues, while it is repaying bailout loans ahead of schedule,” read the report, according to a translation provided by Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance.
The article goes on to highlight key developments in Greece’s financial recovery and robust economic indicators.
“Just last month, Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, presented the draft budget for 2025 to the parliament’s budget committee. Now, he must revise it again—because the state has too much money,” it read.
“While the European Commission’s latest autumn forecast anticipates a fiscal deficit of 0.1% of GDP for next year, Greek government insiders now expect a balanced budget—or even a small surplus.”
“Although Greece still loses approximately 15% of owed VAT revenue, the government aims to reduce this to 9% by 2026. The EU average VAT gap in 2021—the latest available data—was 5.3%.”