The 3 tests of the government and the role of Goldman Sachs, ABBank opens “sails”, “they scratch the pencils” for Barba Stathis, the success of Sdoku in Baku and a quiz – Economic Postman –

Table of Contents

• 1 The first test
• 2 The second test
• 3 In the minds of “great” foreigners
• 4 The competition is getting tougher
• 5 From No. 7 to…
• 6 “The pencils are being scratched” for Barba Stathis
• 7 The closed club of supermarkets
• 8 The success of Sdoku in Baku
• 9 The next bet
• 10 And a quiz
• 11 How could the consolidation of the supermarket industry potentially impact consumer choice and prices in Greece?

The political developments in the government camp came at a difficult time. Difficult time for the market, that is, which has been struggling since last May with its own introversion.
Do not include the international fronts, because the equation of movements becomes even more difficult.
Now I see the variable of political risk entering as well, as foreigners take it seriously.
Goldman Sachs also said this last Friday, that Greece, together with Italy, have become hubs of political stability in Europe.
The events of the weekend may disprove her.

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The first test

Of course, communicatively, the tones may “fall”, but don’t forget that this week the budget is submitted to the Parliament.
Which always has vote of confidence characteristics.

Perhaps now the question is also answered as to why such overperformance was displayed by the financial staff. He was ordered to raise defenses against turbulence.
After all, as it has become clear, the new budget also includes a series of interventions aimed at strengthening citizens’ incomes, totaling 1.1 billion. euro.

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The second test

The next two months won’t be easy though, even if he passes the budget cliff easily.
Because there is an even more difficult presidential election ahead.
Consensus is sought there, with an opposition, internal and parliamentary, that has its own agenda and its own problems.

In other words, don’t be surprised if the prime minister comes forward in the next period and plays the card of political mobilization.
His speech seems to have changed. He showed it last week too, when he got a little… Trump and leaned to the right.

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In the minds of “great” foreigners

All of the above will obviously delay investment decisions, especially at a time when strategies for the new year are being planned. Especially from the foreign giants, who have only made some small moves in the scenario of upgrading the Greek market.
Obviously, the large influx of investment funds operating in mature markets has not yet begun, but this does not mean that the country’s progress is not being monitored.

Therefore, the effort of the listed companies must be two-fold, as the “small” ones of L. of Athens, after the appointments with institutions that had more than 10 companies of small and medium capitalization.
The board rewarded MED and Alumyl, with the former winning several new institutional shareholders through packages after presenting its investment plan with the first objective of moving to the main market.

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The competition is getting tougher

However, some branches may still be looking for their orientation, but the banking sector is already on the road that sees the years of the crisis now further away.
And I am talking about the developments at Aegean Baltic Bank (ABBank).

The fit & proper process of Mr. Aristoteli Mystakidis from the Bank of Greece and the European Central Bank was approved, enabling a company of his interests to obtain a statutory majority and control of ABBank.
An agreement that went through a thousand waves to reach yesterday’s official approval.

From No. 7 to…

The bank starts its race from position 7 in the Greek banking system, but as industry analysts explain to me, it will play a leading role in shipping and real estate.
It is possible to see it greatly expand its presence in the Greek economy.
After all, he has been working on this project for the last 4 years and now it will start reaping the fruits.

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“The pencils are being scratched” for Barba Stathis

According to converging information, a matter of days is the taking of the final decisions on the sale deal of “Barba Stathis” from CVC to Ideal Holdings.

Alex Fotakidis and Lambros Papakonstantinou, as we learn, continue negotiations, in order for each to secure the best possible agreement. “Everyone is scratching their pencils…” a source in the know tells us.
The focus is obviously the price. Logical, since we are talking about a particularly dynamic and robust company with leading shares in the field in which it operates.
For this reason, the deal can be closed at levels higher than those that have been leaked to the press…

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The closed club of supermarkets

Even fewer chains will remain in the supermarket space in the coming years.
A powerful factor in the retail trade predicts that within the next three to five years, the Big 5 of the sector will have absorbed other small and medium players of local scope.
In fact, it is not excluded that the shopping groups set up by the small and medium-sized chains will also “disappear”, since their reason for existence will disappear… Already, as he says, they have leaks.

The spike in all cost drivers, from energy and rent to staff wages, adds to the already suffocating situation experienced by the industry’s smaller players.
The competition is huge and they cannot follow the big ones, since they do not have the corresponding resources.
“The very small ones will remain and continue, which have to offer a different service experience to the consumer and not cheap prices,” notes the experienced retailer.

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The success of Sdoku in Baku

I learn that the “Greek pavilion” at COP29, which was organized this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, was a great success.
In other words, it was one of the pavilions that attracted attention, although we still have to see what the contacts of the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, who led the mission, will produce in practice.

That is, hundreds of visitors passed and stopped. It was also seen from the interviews requested by many foreign media, as well as the participation requested by companies, organizations, government missions from other countries in events at their own pavilions.
There were corresponding invitations from the Greek mission from countries such as Canada, England and Denmark, while there were also requests for bilateral contacts.

The next bet

As soon as the lights go out in Baku, however, I learn that the leadership of the Ministry will put forward the next big bet. Energy storage.
It is also the solution proposed to contain the wholesale price of electricity.
Let’s see if they manage to speed up the investments in the next two years.

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And a quiz

Since I know you are quiz lovers we have one that will intrigue even those who are well aware of what is going on in the market.
Which famous businessman is looking to pull off a major investment coup that will mark his grand return to the industry that made him famous?
Stay tuned, I will have news for you soon…