希腊加紧努力吸引外资促进旅游业

 希腊加紧努力吸引外资促进旅游业

ATHENS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Greece is seeking to step up efforts to attract foreign capital, boost tourism and support its economic recovery via a new legislation going into effect as of May which includes the easier issuance of long-term residence visas for major investors¹.

Foreign nationals from non-EU countries who purchase or rent for a decade property of over 250,000 euros (325,000 U.S. dollars) in the debt-laden country will be offered five-year renewable residence permits for themselves and their families.

"The aim is to encourage much-needed longer-term investments in Greece which will aid overall efforts to exit the Greek debt crisis and return to growth," Deputy Development Minister Notis Mitarakis said during a press briefing in Athens this week, presenting one of the most attractive aspects of the amended² investment incentive³ law which was recently ratified⁴ by the Greek parliament.

The new law aims to create a more business-friendly environment for strategic and private investments in the country through further reduction of red tape and fast-track licensing⁵ of projects, officials of the Greek national promotion⁶ agency for "Invest in Greece" added.

Some progress has been achieved over the past three years, however Greek officials and European Union/International Monetary⁷ Fund lenders who keep Greece afloat in exchange of austerity and reform, acknowledge that much remains⁸ to be done.

Since the outbreak of the Greek debt crisis it is estimated that investments in Greece were slashed⁹ by 60 percent. As increased investment flow is regarded as a key motor to reverse deep recession, the amended legal framework aims to facilitate the licensing process of a broad range of investment projects through the establishment of a Central Licensing Authority, providing investors with incentives¹⁰, such as the long-term visas.

Particular attention is given to the tourism sector¹¹, a traditionally strong pillar of Greece's economy which still accounts for some 18 percent of the Greek GDP, Development Ministry¹² officials told Xinhua.

The modified legislation includes various provisions aiming to promote investments in tourism. For example, it sets the framework for the licensing and operating of seaplanes in Greece, which has hundreds of islands. The target is to improve access and consequently tourism revenue.

Greek officials expect that with the long-term residence visa incentive private investors from non- EU countries, such as China, Russia or the Arab world, interested in making large investments in Greece will now explore more opportunities in the ailing¹³ real estate market, as a tourism investment or a holiday home.

According to real estate agents, there has been increased interest over the past few years. "We have been most fortunate that foreigners from such countries are looking for properties in our country this period. They have become our best clients, when the average Greek due to the crisis can no longer invest much," real estate agent Christina Manolakaki told Xinhua.

"With visa restrictions¹⁴ and bureaucracy eased, we expect greater interest to the benefit of the sector and Greek economy. It would be a significant vote of confidence for Greece" she added.

The severe recession fuelled by salary cuts and tax hikes has had a major impact on Greece's real estate market. Property prices have dropped by some 30 percent on average in four years due to poor demand, according to figures from central Bank of Greece.

Therefore, foreign investors can find great bargains, as Greeks who cannot afford to pay increased extra property taxes are putting properties on the market.

Greek officials hope that the easier and speedier issuance of extended residence permits for major investors will make a difference. Greece will benefit greatly by the investments, while applicants¹⁵ and their families will be able to travel freely -- but with no right to work -- in Greece and within the Schengen area.

1 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

2 Amended   

adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
• He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。

3 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

4 ratified   

v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The treaty was declared invalid because it had not been ratified. 条约没有得到批准，因此被宣布无效。
• The treaty was ratified by all the member states. 这个条约得到了所有成员国的批准。

5 licensing   

v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• A large part of state regulation consists of occupational licensing. 大部分州的管理涉及行业的特许批准。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• That licensing procedures for projects would move faster. 这样的工程批准程序一定会加快。 来自辞典例句

6 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

7 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

8 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

9 slashed   

v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减

参考例句：

• Someone had slashed the tyres on my car. 有人把我的汽车轮胎割破了。
• He slashed the bark off the tree with his knife. 他用刀把树皮从树上砍下。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

11 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

12 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

13 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

14 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

15 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。