The
operating
framework,
financial
trends,
and
risks/uncertainties,
as
well
as
the
Company's
outlook
are
described as follows:
Α
.
Financial Developments and Performance of FY
2022
Despite
the
challenges
encountered
from
the
beginning
of
the
year,
the
Greek
economy
in
2022
recorded
significant
growth,
which
was
higher
than
the
European
average
and
almost
double
the
estimates
at
the
beginning
of
last
year
(after
the
start
of
the
war
in
Ukraine).
According
to
provisional
ELSTAT
data,
the
Greek
economy
grew
by
5,9%
in
2022
with
GDP
reaching
€192
billion
from
€181
billion
in
2021.
This
was
mainly
driven
by
an
increase
in
private
consumption,
investment
and
tourism
despite
increased
imports
and
reduced
government spending.
Specifically,
in
the
first
semester
of
the
financial
year,
the
economy
recorded
a
strong
growth
rate
(+7,5%),
supported
mainly
by
private
consumption
and
investment,
which
recorded
a
double-digit
growth
rate,
as
well
as
the
lower
base
rate
of
growth.
From
the
third
quarter
of
the
year,
however,
the
growth
rate
slowed
down
as
the
high
inflation
appeared
to
have
a
greater
impact
on
consumption
expenditure
and,
to
be
noted,
the
higher base rate of growth.
A
significant
contribution
was
made
by
investments
in
2022,
with
the
public
investment
program
amounting
to
11,0
billion
for
2022.
Furthermore,
foreign
direct
investment
hit
an
all-time
record
in
2022,
reaching
EUR
6,24
billion
compared
to
EUR
5,56
billion
in
2021.
The
significant
financial
contribution
from
the
Recovery
and
Resilience
Fund
is
also
worth
to
be
noted,
with
Greece
showing
one
of
the
highest
absorption
rates
in
the
European
Union
with
11,4
billion
(about
6,4%
of
GDP)
distributed
in
the
country
since
August
2021
so
far.
Finally,
the
significantly
improved
liquidity
conditions
are
highlighted
with
deposits
exceeding
180
billion,
the
highest level since 2011.
The
Consumer
Price
Index
according
to
the
latest
ELSTAT
data
for
the
whole
of
2022
stands
at
9,6%,
showing
a
steady
deceleration
in
the
last
quarter
of
the
year
as
a
result
of
the
decline
in
energy
prices
and
the
higher
base rate. In December the index stood at 7,2%, lower than the euro area index of 9,2%.
A
further
decline
in
the
unemployment
rate
had
a
positive
impact
on
consumer
spending,
with
the
seasonally
adjusted
unemployment
rate
in
December
2022
standing
at
11,6%,
down
from
12,9%
in
December
2021,
levels observed before 2010.
In
the
export
sector,
tourism
had
a
very
strong
performance
with
total
collections
reaching
17,6
billion
(97%
compared
to
2019)
while
visitors
reached
27,8
million
(89%
compared
to
2019).
On
the
other
hand,
imports
also
recorded
a
significant
increase
due
to
increased
energy
prices,
resulting
in
a
higher
current
account
balance compared to 2021.
In
the
fiscal
area,
according
to
the
latest
data,
results
are
expected
to
exceed
targets,
with
the
primary
deficit
expected
to
be
in
the
range
of
1,2%
compared
to
the
target
of
1,6%
in
line
with
improved
tax
revenues
and
higher
growth
despite
the
measures
of
supporting
households
from
inflationary
pressures.
To
be
noted
that