Press: Consumer spending and EU problems

The “Economy” inset of newspaper “Phileleftheros” under the title “Negative rates in the market” refers to the subdued retail sales, as consumer spending has reduced possibilities for an improvement in the Cyprus economy. The Retail Sales Volume Index for the first quarter of 2003 stood at 110.8, as in the corresponding period of 2002.

Elsewhere “Phileleftheros” deals with the dispute between DISY and AKEL on the Blue Print.

The “Economy” inset of newspaper “Simerini” under the title “EU problems have become a routine” refers to the statements of Harmonization Coordinator, Takis Hadjidemetriou that Cyprus – as all member states – will never cease to have problems with regard to harmonization.

Elsewhere the newspaper reports that according to Commerce Minister, Giorgos Lillikas “this government will never proceed to privatizations, but to changes on an institutional administrative level for flexibility reasons”.

The “Economic” inset of newspaper “Alithia” under the title “PASYXE: Measures for the support of tourism” reports that according to PASYXE General Manager, the latest figures on tourist arrivals demand measures to support tourism and check downward trend.

Elsewhere the inset reports that the House Finance Organization will allocate on a monthly basis loans of CYP 8-10 million.