The recent batch of measures taken by Greece’s government will, to a large extent, solve the problems faced by businesses due to the imposition of capital controls, Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas said on Sunday.
Appearing on Greek TV, Mardas said that the transfer of cash transaction authorizations for sums up to 100,000 euros to banks will greatly improve the speed at which these are approved and carried out.
He noted the government is aware of the problems caused and apologized to both businesses and pensioners for the hardships they were subjected to over the past weeks.
Mardas also announced the beginning of a campaign to inform the public concerning the drachma versus euro debate, noting that “a campaign for the drachma is underway with many inaccuracies and mistakes.”
“We are forgetting that in the 20 years, from 1980-2000, the drachma lost its value seven times in relation to the dollar and exports just barely doubled,” he pointed out. He ruled out the existence of a “drachma plan” on a government policy level, stressing that no such discussion had ever taken place and stressed that any such attempt would find him opposed.
“Our entire effort has been within the euro,” he said.
Asked to comment on press statements concerning former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis about a Plan B with parallel currency and hacked tax registration numbers, Mardas said he is “unable to imagine” what that means and suggested it is time to “rein in” some statements.
“Anyone with his staff can prepare what he wants. The preparations of one Minister’s staff, however, do not constitute government policy,” he said.
(Source: ANA-MPA)
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