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OEB demands clarifications on EMU & convergence

15/10/2004 13:07
At the meeting between the Finance Minister, Makis Keravnos and OEB representatives held on Friday, the two parties had talks on the convergence of the Cyprus economy and the entry of the Cyprus pound in the Exchange Rate Mechanism 2.

On his statements after the meeting, OEB General Manager, Michalis Pilikos said that the Federation has requested by the Finance Minister to adopt the euro the soonest possible and has expressed his disappointment on the allocation of pay rises to the civil servants. “OEB has emphasized that the drop in fiscal deficit cannot be achieved through institutional reforms, since the problem may reappear and has requested by the Finance Minister to take the proper measures for a better service to the companies by the civil service. Mr. Keravnos said that the government is in a constant effort for structural changes in the civil service”, he stated.

“Mr. Keravnos assured that the government will soon submit to Parliament the bill on the coloured heating oil for its use by the industry and the households”, he continued.

OEB has also expressed its disagreement on a provision of the bill submitted by the Finance Ministry concerning the procedures for the taxation of income by the companies. “OEB does not wish to convert its members into ‘government employees’”, he concluded.