Greek reform list met with skepticism by Brussels Group (media)

Greece's updated list with proposed reforms has met with skepticism by foreign technocrats of the so-called Brussels Group which convened on Saturday in Belgium to examine Athens' proposals, Greek media reported.

The consultations were tough, Vima (Tribune) newspaper reported, citing sources within high ranking Greek state officials.

Greece's representatives submitted to the Brussels Group a catalogue of measures which according to the Greek government estimates could generate about 3 billion euros (3.24 billion U.S. dollars) in revenues by 2016, Greek government sources said.

The proposed policies focused on combating tax evasion, raising luxury taxes, taxes on alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as revenues from the issuance of broadcasting licenses, according to the same sources.

Athens was said to foresee a primary budget surplus of 1.5 percent and a growth rate of 1.4 percent for this year.

The Greek government expected that the Brussels Group would reach a preliminary agreement by Monday to forward to the Euro Working Group the list and later next week the Euro group would convene to hopefully approve the measures and give the green light for the immediate disbursement of vital further financial aid to Greece.

Without bailout funding for months the debt laden country struggles to meet all its financial obligations and stay afloat this spring.

On Friday credit rating agency Fitch downgraded Greece's long-term credit rating to CCC from B, reflecting concern over a looming meltdown in April if Athens will not convince its international creditors to release more funding in coming weeks. 
   xinhuanet.com
28/3/15
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