Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
IMF experts in Athens as crisis hits euro
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Sitemap
IMF experts in Athens as crisis hits euro
AFP - Thursday, April 8
Send
IM Story
Print
Greek pensioners demonstrate in Athens to protest against the government's austerity measures. IMF experts have advised Greece on how to enact painful budget cuts but market doubts on the country's ability to raise money to pay its bills keep borrowing rates high and are driving down the euro.
ATHENS (AFP) - – IMF experts advised Greece Wednesday on how to enact painful budget cuts but market doubts on the country's ability to raise money to pay its bills kept borrowing rates high and drove down the euro.
The IMF advisers began a two-week mission to Athens with meetings at the finance ministry, with markets in turmoil over Greece's next fund-raising steps to slash a massive budget deficit and stay abreast of loan repayments.
The deteriorating climate has also spooked Greek banks, with Bank of Greece governor George Provopoulos telling the finance ministry the country's four main lenders had applied to join a state support scheme.
National Bank, Eurobank, Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank asked for guarantees worth 15 billion euros (20 billion dollars) under a 28-billion-euro support scheme put in place by the previous conservative administration in late 2008, semi-state agency ANA said.
A finance ministry official said the government had already decided to extend the bank support scheme by six months.
"The whole Greek economy and the banking system are under pressure so one needs to have the assurance of additional guarantees," a finance ministry source said.
In London, the euro fell further, driven down again largely by anxiety over the Greek crisis, and was being quoted at 1.3387 dollars from 1.3397 dollars late on Tuesday.
At Credit Agricole CIB, analyst Stuart Bennett said the euro continued to be undermined by the situation in Greece, which faces a deepening dilemma of huge debt, dangerously high interest rates and damaging market rumours.
The International Monetary Fund experts are officially on a mission to advise ministers on how to manage budget cutbacks and clamp down on tax fraud in line with targets imposed by the European Union.
"During this technical assistance visit, the IMF is expected to analyse and make suggestions on budget and tax issues," the finance ministry said.
The IMF mission was requested by Greece as it battles huge budget deficits and a debt mountain of nearly 300 billion euros (402 billion dollars).
Athens has set itself an enormous task of slashing its budget deficit by four percentage points this year in the midst of a growing recession.
But at the same time the market interest rates it has to pay on its debt have jumped up, soaking up much of the intended savings.
The rate or yield, which had leapt to slightly above 7.0 percent on Tuesday, eased on Wednesday to 6.883 percent.
That was still sharply above the level Greece considers bearable, and at BNP Paribas in London, analysts commented "the situation is very fragile" and that a swirl of rumours was "weighing heavily" on Greek bonds.
"The strong rise in yields raises concerns about the cost of debt for Greece," they said.
Prime Minister George Papandreou was to issue new warnings about the situation at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Greek media reported.
There is also concern that Greece's crisis measures are based on estimates that are rapidly being outpaced by the country's deepening recession.
The finance ministry has already been forced to revise its estimate on the economy's shrinkage in 2009 from 1.2 percent to 2.0 percent.
On April 22, the European Union's statistical agency Eurostat is expected to announce that Greece's public deficit in 2009 will be higher than the 12.7 percent of gross domestic product announced by the government, Greek news reports said.
The reports said Eurostat could put the deficit as high as 14.3 percent, mainly on the strength of huge debts by state hospitals.
The entire Greek state health system has debts of over 6 billion euros according to the government, much of it to contractors and suppliers.
The Greek finance minister on Tuesday acknowledged that the deficit figure was already at 12.9 percent because of higher-than-forecast recession but said that the final revision would be small.
"We are not talking about major changes," he told Mega television, suggesting a revision of less than a percentage point.
The IMF experts got down to work after a day of drama on financial markets driven by many and varied reports of Greek strategy to find urgent funding of a huge public deficit.
One report, belatedly denied by the authorities, suggested that Greece was having second thoughts about any formal IMF involvement in a joint financial rescue with the European Union because of tough conditions the fund might impose.
Greece desperately needs tens of billions of dollars of loans at an affordable rate to be able to repay maturing debt in coming weeks and months.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
GM posts $4.3 billion loss for 2009
Ex-Fed chief Greenspan defends role in crisis
OECD forecasts slower growth for rich nations
Auto giants launch new tie-up
IMF experts in Athens as crisis hits euro
More Top Stories »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy split -- via Twitter
Spread dread for Greece as debt confusion roils investors
Angelie Jolie, Brad Pitt visit Bosnia refugees: UN
Renault set for new tie-up with Daimler
Car giants eye profits in new tie-up
More Most Viewed »
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Junkies and junk-food addicts share craving mechanism
Toad is a telltale for impending quakes: scientists
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 Baghdad blasts kill 35, destroy seven buildings
Predator priest cases in Italy only 'tip of iceberg': lawyer
Protesters seek change in Egypt, scuffle with police
US court deals setback to regulators over 'net neutrality'
Palestinian fears U.S. Mideast push in trouble
|
Tears, anger as Italians mark year since L'Aquila quake
Canadian researchers uncover China-based online spy network
Greece not seeking to amend EU-IMF deal
IAEA inspects Syria reactor in uranium traces probe
|
Russia names second metro suicide bomber
Spread dread for Greece as debt confusion roils investors
Arrest Warrant Issued For Rapper Coolio After Court Hearing Snub
YouTube drops Moscow attack claim video after Russian protest
Maid Agrees To Drop Suit Against Kim Kardashian
Baghdad blasts kill 35, destroy seven buildings
|
RIM releases new BlackBerry app development tools
Sean Penn Facing Lawsuit Over Alleged Paparazzo Death Threat
Comcast wins Web traffic fight against FCC
U.N. chief will press for abolition of nuclear arms
|
Nokia, others to follow Apple in tablet push
Tiger Woods And George Lopez Have Locker Room Encounter
German minister slams Facebook over data protection
Bodies of nine Mumbai gunmen buried secretly in January
|
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
Nokia, others to follow Apple in tablet push
New US policy limits role of nuclear arsenal
Nuclear weapons only in 'extreme circumstances': US
27 Taliban reported killed in western fighting
AOL says to sell or shut down Bebo in 2010
|
Apple's iPad debuts strongly, but key tests remain
|
CIA victim said to have rescued future Afghan pres
Protesters clash with police in Kyrgyzstan
Canadian researchers uncover China-based online spy network
RIM releases new BlackBerry app development tools
|
Brandy Discusses Upcoming New Album
Indian Maoists kill 75 in police massacre
Annual Beer Sold Out Ahead Of Time
Red Shirt protesters flood streets of Thai capital
Spirit Airlines Begins Charging Passengers For Carry-On Luggage
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Short-term solution on Tibet unlikely, says Dalai Lama
Fed Sees Strengthening Recovery, But Expects Static Spending
Professor Killed During Home Invasion In Plantation
Rescuers race to reach 32 trapped in China mine
Shares Of Massey Energy Slammed By Mine Explosion
Ally McBeal Season Two Gets DVD Release
Maoist rebels kill 76 soldiers in eastern India
Police disperse protesters in Kyrgyzstan
Lady Gaga, Soundgarden Confirmed For Lollapalooza 2010
Law Graduate Charged With Threatening Deadly Force To Stop Abortion
Renault set for new tie-up with Daimler
President Obama Hosts Christian Clergy From Across The Nation
Cambodian PM sets Chevron oil production deadline
Shanghai mayor visits Taipei amid protests
Report: China-based hackers stole India secrets
Festival celebrates the resurgence of TV series
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
UK actor, activist Corin Redgrave dies aged 70
"Date Night" hits home for Tina Fey, Steve Carell
Traditional French cafés innovate to survive
Actor Corey Haim bought more than 550 pills before death
|
Movie ticket sales strong despite price hike
|
Annual Beer Sold Out Ahead Of Time
Sheep Deaths, Experiments Linked To UFOs
Couple Charged With Theft After Not Returning Cash Found In Suitcase
Suspected Car Thief Dies After Turning Lights Off During Police Chase
Mass Arrest Follows New York City Gang Melee
Swedish Tin Can Collector Died A Millionaire
81-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Suing For Back Child Support
British Couple Lose Appeal Over Public Kissing
Women Steal Easter Offerings From Church
"Miracle" Rescue Finds 115 Alive In Flooded Chinese Mine
Iraq in 'open war' with Qaeda after Baghdad bombs
Former Norwegian bishop 'admits' child abuse
Tradition, Taliban threats give Afghans a dilemma
Thai red shirts briefly storm parliament grounds
|
White House: Graphic Iraq shooting video 'tragic'
Thirty-five killed as six bombs rock Baghdad
In first Russia, Polish PMs to honour Katyn WWII victims
US court deals setback to regulators over 'net neutrality'
White House hints Karzai visit could be in doubt
Police clash with protesters in restive Kyrgyzstan
|
South Sudan party to boycott elections in north
AOL to sell or close Bebo
No deaths in Indonesia quake; tsunami alert lifted
|
Palestinian fears U.S. Mideast push in trouble
US-TECH Summary
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
|
Antitrust senator seeks Google/AdMob scrutiny
IAEA inspects Syria reactor in uranium traces probe
One killed, 11 hurt in French factory explosion
|
Comcast wins Web traffic fight against FCC
AOL says to sell or shut down Bebo in 2010
North Korea sentences U.S. man to 8 years hard labor
|
Spread dread for Greece as debt confusion roils investors
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
China tightens rules on Internet cafes
Kyrgyz opposition clashes with police in capital
Rescuers race to reach 31 trapped in China mine
Survivors of sunken SKorean ship describe ordeal
Thai "red shirts" briefly storm parliament grounds
Asian allies welcome new US nuclear stance
China cyber-spies target India, Dalai Lama: report
|
'Red Shirt' protesters storm Thai parliament
Obama limits U.S. use of nuclear arms
Antitrust senator seeks Google/AdMob scrutiny
|
Histamine-Tainted Frozen Tuna Steak Sparks Recall
Rescuers gear up for new effort after deadly mine blast
Afghan suicide blast kills civilian, injures 15
Judge Rules Iran Must Pay $1.3 Billion To Beirut Bombing Victims
Thai protesters retreat after storming parliament grounds
U.S. Retail Sales Jump Last Week On Easter Holiday
Kyrgyz opposition vows to go ahead with rallies
NYC Unicyclists Bridge Gap Between Cyclists Non-cyclists
Adam Lambert To Mentor "American Idol" Contestants
U.S. Markets Finish Mixed As Fed Comments Provide Late Boost
Obama Announces Plan to Restrict Risks of U.S. Nuclear Strikes
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
7.7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
No deaths in Indonesia quake; tsunami alert lifted
Panic as major quake hits Indonesia
S.Korea buys over $1 bln to curb won's rise -traders
7.8 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
USGS: 7.8 quake off Sumatra
India's 3G auction set to start Friday
Japan central bank stays put on interest rates
At 100 episodes, "Bones" not ready for burial yet
World Bank: East Asia needs reform to keep growing
Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia
Seoul shares finish flat; techs, banks retreat
Bank of Japan keeps interest rate unchanged at 0.1 pct
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
|
Report: Japan Airlines to speed up mass job cuts
Modern Family cast strategizes Emmy submissions
|
Buzz Aldrin voted off Dancing With the Stars
|
Toyota to aggressively defend safety record: US exec
"Modern Family" cast strategizes Emmy submissions
At 100 episodes, Bones not ready for burial yet
|
PAKISTAN
Adam Lambert to mentor American Idol finalists
|
Fed not ready for exit strategy: minutes
Soundgarden, Lady Gaga headline Lollapalooza
|
Playboy photographers find reality TV hard work
|
Adam Lambert to mentor 'American Idol' finalists
Buzz Aldrin voted off "Dancing With the Stars"
Guitarist Slash finally goes solo for new album
Playboy photographers find reality TV hard work
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
Actor Corey Haim bought more than 550 pills before death
Jeff Koons paints BMW for Le Mans
Afghan election commission chiefs step down
Top judge to be tried for Spain atrocioties probe
Troops fire on Kyrgyz anti-government protests, many killed
|
Vodafone to offer Web via Opera in emerging markets
Eurozone growth halts in last quarter of 2009
U.S.-Israeli dispute still unresolved: Netanyahu
|
Iran's president attacks Obama on nuclear threat
|
Bangladesh convicts, jails 29 paramilitary mutineers
|
Iraqi police foil teenage would-be suicide bomber
|
Comcast Ruling Reignites Net Neutrality Debate
UK's Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defense
|
Al Qaeda members land in Somalia from Yemen: government
|
Russia, Poland eye reconciliation at WWII mass grave
|
Afghanistan plays down Karzai's anti-West remarks
|
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy split -- via Twitter
IMF experts in Athens as crisis hits euro
Four WV Miners Still Missing As Rescuers Drill Holes To Release Methane
Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Senator Over Healthcare Vote
Discovery maneuvers to dock with space station
Egg-Based Breakfast May Be Effective Weight-Loss Tool
Govt: At least 180 wounded in Kyrgyzstan protests
Tribeca Film Festival Features To Be Available On Video On Demand
Giant lizard discovered in the Philippines
Eleventh Rendering Of "Doctor Who" To Premiere On BBC America
China, India agree to set up hot line for leaders
Tina Fey, Aaron Johnson To Appear On "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross"
Report: Kyrgyz protesters kill interior minister
Discovery Shuttle Docks At Space Station
Bangladesh sentences 29 guards over deadly mutiny
Scrabble Maker Changes Proper Noun Use
HHS Secretary Sebelius Warns Americans Against Health Insurance 'Crooks'
NKorea sentences US man to 8 years of hard labor
Car giants eye profits in new tie-up
China battles to save 29 missing in mine
Rescuers in fading bid to save 29 from China mine
Bangkok under emergency after Parliament stormed
Geithner to visit Beijing amid currency dispute
Pakistani stocks up; rupee firms, o/n rates flat
China to resume 3-year bond sales
Car giants launch new partnership
Japan's video game visionary: the console is dying
|
Shares rise on optimism over global economy
Google to face copyright lawsuit by visual artists
|
Treasury Secretary Geithner to visit Beijing
China shares mixed on policy tightening worries
Vodafone to offer Web via Opera in emerging markets
|
Nokia, others seen following Apple in tablet push
|
US says funds raised for Shanghai Expo pavilion
Report: Japan Airlines to speed up mass job cuts
World Bank: East Asia needs reform to keep growing
7.7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
Indonesian woman wanted to be martyr, court hears
Illness forces Whitney Houston to delay Euro tour
WHO mobilises 1,000 cities in urban health drive
Unite to recover looted artefacts, Egypt forum told
TV series Treme puts New Orleans back on map
|
'Five-a-day' has limited impact on cancer risk
Lloyd Webber delays Broadway opening due to health
|
Jim Carrey, Jenny McCarthy reveal split on Twitter
|
Whitney Houston postpones more dates after illness
Whitney Houston in hospital with nose, throat problem
Whitney Houston postpones more dates after illness
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights