Tsipras expects a 2% growth in the Greek economy and a drop in unemployment

In the first quarter of 2018 a bank will be set up to finance small and medium-sized enterprises. Greece's economic growth will be close to 2% in 2017. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Tuesday, quoted by Reuters. His opinion is slightly above the revised government forecast.

Earlier, the government in Athens predicted that the Greek economy will grow 1.8% this year, re-examining previous growth expectations of 2.7%. "The projections that 2017 will end with a growth of nearly 2% will be confirmed," said Tsipras, adding that unemployment, which is currently 21.7%, should fall below 20% next year. The European state, which was hit hardest by the economic and debt crisis, in June completed a crucial review of its bailout program and in July for the first time in three years returned to bond markets. Greece's economic performance in this report is decisive as its third loan of EUR 86 billion is due to expire in 2018. A new state development bank, whose goal will be to finance small and medium-sized enterprises, will start work in the first quarter of 2018, the Greek Prime Minister said.