Exports set for a year of 2-3 pct growth
Greek enterprises are becoming more export-oriented again, according to the Panhellenic Exporters’ Association (PSE), which foresees exports growing by 2 to 3 percent this year from 2014.
This estimate was presented by PSE President Christina Sakellaridi at Wednesday’s general meeting and could even be seen as being on the conservative side, given more optimistic forecasts by foreign organizations and the significant growth recorded in the first quarter of the year.
International organizations estimate that Greek exports will expand by an annual rate of 5.5 percent this year, while in the January-March period they posted a remarkable 15.35 percent increase from the same period last year. In 2014 the total value of Greek exports, including oil products, amounted to 21.7 billion euros, down by 1.4 percent from 2013. Not including fuel, the exports rose marginally by 0.1 percent on a yearly basis.
The rise in exports is confirmed by the growth in industrial turnover. The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) announced on Wednesday that while turnover in the local market dropped 6.3 percent annually, international turnover rose 1.3 percent. Total turnover fell 2.9 percent.
