The official blog of Stathis Kassios for Business, Media, Economics & Arts

Since 2009 , it’s been a personal tradition to reflect on the passing year and share insights into upcoming global trends. Delighted to continue this tradition by presenting my latest article, “Global Trends in 2024”! Join me as I explore the events that shaped our world and offer personal thoughts and predictions for the coming year. Your thoughts and comments are most welcome. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Another year has come to an end, bringing with it many developments, both locally and internationally. Taking a brief look at the most significant events that dominated public discourse, media, and social media references, let’s start with the dominance of artificial intelligence. The term “dominance” might disturb some as it can be interpreted as a predetermined evolution. However, continuous research in machine learning, neural networks, and the automation arising from artificial intelligence has already started to affect and replace a significant portion of human work an...

The recent news   of receiving the investment grade from the rating agencies and specifically from   S&P   (Standard and Poor's Global Ratings), flooded the domestic and international press and triggered a crescendo of public arguments and commentary from government officials that focused on the positive aspects of the upgrade, while the main opposition contradicted them, stressing the microeconomics of everyday life for the average citizen - a harsh political response to the current government euphoria. The benefits of the investment grade  will logically mature in 2024 when new funding will flow into the Greek government from the bond offers. Financial liquidity will be positively affected, with banks increasing credit lines and businesses receiving loans on more favorable financing terms. Are there countervailing risks  & traps alongside the objective and positive signs of the Greek economy, which has succeeded and survived through a difficult decade ...

Closing the year 2022 with some articles I found interesting to read and sharing some personal thoughts and opinion. Have a great 2023! Private pension schemes offered in China and managed by various US funds. Still considered a Communist state? Don't think so. "JPMorgan, UBS and others vie for bigger share of China's pension market" - Read  HERE H εταιρεία Τουρκικών συμφερόντων @LCWaikiki με σημαντική παρουσία και καταστήματα στην Ελλάδα, παρουσίασε κερδοφορία. - Read HERE Stathis' commentary: "The crypto industry is going through a major crisis. Why? When the blockchain manifesto started circulating between crypto and tech enthusiasts, promising the creation of a new global decentralized financial system, to be built on the ruins of the traditional credit system which collapsed in 2008, it quickly evolved to eventually becoming the same system it was despising. All or most of the exchange money supply from small investors was gathered among few companies, ...

Οι περισσότεροι διεθνείς αναλυτές, οικονομολόγοι, ειδικοί σύμβουλοι ανά τον κόσμο, δε περίμεναν με βάση τις αρχικές προβλέψεις τους ότι ο πληθωρισμός θα έχει τόση διάρκεια, σφοδρότητα και άμεσο κίνδυνο ο ρυθμός του να αυξηθεί περισσότερο, παρασύροντας τις τιμές περαιτέρω, εμποδίζοντας την πολυπόθητη ανάπτυξη που περίμεναν όλοι μετά από δύο χρόνια πανδημίας και συρρίκνωσης της οικονομικής δραστηριότητας. Οι προβλέψεις των ειδικών περίμεναν σταθεροποίηση και σταδιακή μείωση των τιμών. Τί έγινε λοιπόν και το ξέφρενο ράλι ενός ιστορικού πληθωρισμού δεκαετιών συνεχίζεται; Η διαρκής άνοδος του πληθωρισμού σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο, φτάνοντας μεσοσταθμικά περίπου 9%, έχει να συμβεί από τις αρχές της δεκαετίας του ‘80. Το κόστος είναι ήδη πολύ μεγάλο στις εθνικές οικονομίες και τις παγκόσμιες αγορές. Παρατηρούμε πως οι κεντρικές τράπεζες είναι πια αποφασισμένες να αυξήσουν τα επιτόκια, μετά από χρόνια χαλαρής νομισματικής πολιτικής. Στη γηραιά ήπειρο, η Ευρωπαϊκή Κεντρική Τράπεζα σταμάτησε τις αγορ...

Dear friends, please find below my new article on Greece's Public Debt and a comparison to Argentina . You can read it here: https://apopseis.gr/o-efialtis-tou-dimosiou-chreous-argentini-ke-ellada/ - Stathis Kassios You can also read the previous article I wrote on Greece's Public Debt here:  https://apopseis.gr/o-efialtis-tou-dimosiou-chreous/

An interesting analysis by Poul. M. Thompsen (IMF) about the myths and realities of the Greek crisis, what went wrong during the programs imposed by Europeans and IMF. Last but not least, mistakes in the various reforms by the political system of the different Greek governments since 2009 and the fragile future of the  Greek economy. Your comments are welcome. Read more HERE:  https://bit.ly/31TD1fs

Read my new article on Greece's Public Debt published at www.apopseis.gr Click on the link below to access the article. Your thoughts and comments are very welcome. https://apopseis.gr/o-efialtis-tou-dimosiou-chreous/ -Stathis Kassios

Listen to this Podcast by the Economist discussing the economic implications of Brexit. Immigration, Security, Trade Deals with EU, Local Economy, Exports and other affected fields. Have a nice week! - Stathis Kassios

Greece's shadow economy currently at 26% of its annual GDP. Read more HERE . 

Ever wondered about global banking, trading and various financial products? Do you know all about bonds. equities, stocks, investment funds, short and long term contracts, credit default SWAPS (CDS), etc.?  Ever understood how the behavior of global markets can create an economic crisis like the one ''weak'' EU member countries have endured the past few years?  This is a highly suggested documentary. Only if you are curious enough to get a bitter glimpse of the global finance world and elite that affects your life more than you think it is.

''As an economist I strongly believe that even if the Greek government retains a 3.5% budget surplus until 2022 this will not directly relate to the sustainability of the public debt which has increased. Furthermore, the surplus means a new round of heavy taxation directly and indirectly. Brussels is pushing for the surplus to be maintained in order to calm creditors and global markets but people and the real economy will suffer.'' - Stathis Kassios Euro Area Welcomes New Greek Government With a Budget Warning. Read the full article HERE via Bloomberg

Το αριστερό γράφημα συγκρίνει την εξέλιξη του ΑΕΠ της Ελλάδας με του μέσου όρου της ευρωζώνης και της Πορτογαλίας μετά το 2007 που είναι το έτος που άρχισε η παγκόσμια κρίση. Επέλεξα να συγκρίνω την Ελλάδα και με την Πορτογαλία διότι είναι μια μικρή και μη παραδειγματική χώρα της ευρωζώνης η οποία, όπως εμείς, ζήτησε μνημονιακή βοήθεια διότι η κυβέρνησή της χρεοκόπησε. (Αντίθετα με πολλές άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες όπου χρεοκόπησε το τραπεζικό σύστημα, όπως π.χ. Ιρλανδίας, Ισπανία και Κύπρος.) Παρατηρούμε ότι το 2008-2009 η Ελλάδα είχε μια ελαφρώς καλύτερη επίδοση, η οποία όμως ήταν πλασματική καθώς δημιουργήθηκε με ποτάμια δανεικού χρήματος στην αγορά (μόνο το 2009 το πρωτογενές έλλειμμα ήταν 24 δις, ή σαν να λέμε 800 ευρώ το μήνα ανά οικογένεια). Μετά το 2009 βλέπουμε ότι η Ελλάδα μπήκε σε μια απότομα μεγάλη ύφεση η οποία όμως βασικά αντιστοιχεί στις συνέπειες του ξεφουσκώματος των τεράστιων αυξήσεων των κρατικών δαπανών (Μόνο την τριετία 2007-2009 οι κρατικές δαπάνες για μισθούς,...

The effects of high taxes are very profound in the Greek economy. Growth and job creation will only happen if the current or future government takes an important decision of lowering taxes on people and business. Read the article here   via reuters.com

''The EU has just passed the Copyright Directive: now small sites and tech giants alike will have to deal with the fallout and recriminations.'' Read the full article by MIT Technology Review here

Hello, find below the video episodes by BBC featuring Brexit & the power of Brussels, Greece's economic crsis, migration.

Currently reading: Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader Steve Jobs is the man who undoubtedly revolutionized the computer and mobile industry. Worth reading this book as the Hollywood films directed do not grasp his innovative persona. Meanwhile in #Portugal : ''The European Commission said that Portugal was no longer subject to its measures for managing excessive debt, because the country's budget deficit fell to 2% of GDP last year, well below the ceiling of 3% set in the EU's stability and growth pact. Portugal exited its bail-out programme in 2014 - by The Economist  #Greece should learn from Portugal. #not #failedstate

One of the latest books I currently read is The End of the Euro - The Uneasy Future of the European Union by Johan Van Overtveldt, former editor in chief of Belgium's Trends and currently Minister of Finance. The chapters of the book feature a quite detailed narration of history of the European Economic Community (EEC) which brings us to today's woes over a possible Brexit and Greece's unsustainable debt. This social and economic distress, also spotted in other EU countries, is continued due to a central monetary policy that does not walk in line with a political union and general policies between the members states, that could optimize the EU system.  Some parts of the book I particularly distinguished as they can shed some light on Greece's ongoing economic problems and why  the current or past governments were unable to really change the course of the real economy or fantasized that they can by imposing more taxes & austerity. The author argues something...

Why should I get a trademark registration? You can sell products or offer services in the EU without having a registered trademark. So you might ask, why should I register my trademark? There are several reasons why registering your trademark is a good idea. Rights Throughout the EU. By obtaining a EU registration of your trademark, you can have more confidence that you have rights to use your mark throughout the entire European Union, without worrying that your trademark rights will be limited because of someone else’s activities (because of that person’s legal rights in a trademark.). It is also wise to research whether someone else is already using a mark similar to yours by doing a comprehensive trademark availability search before applying to register your trademark. Working with Your Distributors If you plan to work with re-sellers or distributors to sell your products or services, having a trademark registration lets you control your own brand. Many times, a re-s...

According to Forbes among the top 10 cities around the world to launch your startup business is Sofia, Bulgaria. Behind the blare of Berlin, Beijing, Moscow and London, the Bulgarian start-up scene is set to become a center for seed investment and start-ups in South East Europe. A Bulgarian limited liability company can be incorporated within one week, with a minimum of one shareholder and one director, who can be of any nationality and place of residence. Conveniently, the minimum paid up share capital is only €1 and there is an option for a Client not to travel to complete Bulgaria business setup. Registering a business in Bulgaria enables Clients to minimize tax because: 1. Bulgaria’s corporate tax rate is a flat 10% on global profits, the second lowest in the EU. See the global corporate tax page for more details on corporate tax rates in Europe. 2. Withholding tax on interest payments is low at i) 5% within the European Economic Area and ii) 10% to all other countries unless re...

The current problems of the Greek government are directly related to decreasing public expenditures through imposing more and more taxes upon its citizens and domestic economy. Under constant pressure from EU's bureaucrats in order for Greece to receive a new round of loans and re-capitalize its banks, the limited time left to find alternative sources for tax revenues, create a hostile environment for the private sector and the real economy.  Imbalances in the government's budget, negatively distort the real economy. Companies remain non-competitive because of the amount of taxes they have to pay and because they can not be financed in a healthy way anymore.  Even if a myopic political party achieves to present a significant decrease in the government's deficit, it can irreversibly hurt thousands of small and medium size businesses, further increase unemployment and establish a new problematic status quo for the employer (more taxes and insurance contributions) ...