Negotiations with the troika delegates to begin

As was widely expected, the negotiations between the Greek Govt and the troika delegates began .

The main issues on the agenda are the 2015 budget and the size of the fiscal gap as well as the several tax breaks that the govt has decided to introduce, which were announced by the PM at the Thessaloniki International Fair in early September.

On the subject of tax breaks, according to Kathimerini, the Govt plan includes among others: (a) a reduction of the corporate tax rate to 20% from 26% currently; (2) a 30% reduction in the special tax on heating oil; (3) a 30% reduction in the solidarity tax; (4) the extension of the low VAT on restaurants and catering.