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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Monday that the economy was turning a page and poised to show 'exceptionally high' rates of growth, despite data showing output slumped more than expected in the fourth quarter of last year.
Putting a brave face on delays in a bailout review with lenders, Tsipras said a national growth strategy was needed for the country, on its third international bailout since 2010.
"For the present year the forecasts show that the Greek economy will show exceptionally high rates of growth after many years of recession, the highest at a euro zone level," Tsipras told a cabinet meeting.
Authorities expect growth of 2.7 percent this year from a rebound in tourism. Cyprus, another bailed-out member of the euro zone, expects growth of 2.8 percent.
Tsipras's upbeat comments coincided with the statistics service releasing data showing the 175 billion euro economy shrank more than anticipated in the last quarter of 2016, contracting 1.2 percent on a quarterly basis and 1.1 percent on a yearly basis.
Economists said the most recent data suggested the economy was stagnant, or showed a marginal contraction last year, compared to previous full-year projections of 0.3 percent growth.
"The data revision points to full-year 2016 real GDP growth of -0.1 percent," said Eurobank economist Platon Monokroussos.
National Bank economist Nikos Magginas said he expected zero growth for last year. "That stymies, to a small extent, the positive carry-over effect and the positive impetus for the following year," he told Reuters, referring to 2017.
Greek PM glosses over delays and weak data, says economy is recovering
Putting a brave face on delays in a bailout review with lenders, Tsipras said a national growth strategy was needed for the country, on its third international bailout since 2010.
"For the present year the forecasts show that the Greek economy will show exceptionally high rates of growth after many years of recession, the highest at a euro zone level," Tsipras told a cabinet meeting.
Authorities expect growth of 2.7 percent this year from a rebound in tourism. Cyprus, another bailed-out member of the euro zone, expects growth of 2.8 percent.
Tsipras's upbeat comments coincided with the statistics service releasing data showing the 175 billion euro economy shrank more than anticipated in the last quarter of 2016, contracting 1.2 percent on a quarterly basis and 1.1 percent on a yearly basis.
Economists said the most recent data suggested the economy was stagnant, or showed a marginal contraction last year, compared to previous full-year projections of 0.3 percent growth.
"The data revision points to full-year 2016 real GDP growth of -0.1 percent," said Eurobank economist Platon Monokroussos.
National Bank economist Nikos Magginas said he expected zero growth for last year. "That stymies, to a small extent, the positive carry-over effect and the positive impetus for the following year," he told Reuters, referring to 2017.
Greek PM glosses over delays and weak data, says economy is recovering