Greece sends updated list of reform proposals to Eurogroup chief

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis sent on Friday to Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem the updated list of the first seven reforms Athens proposes in order to move forward with the implementation of the February 20 Eurogroup deal, Greek news agency AMNA reported.

According to government sources, Varoufakis sent a letter requesting the imminent launch of talks with creditors on the final follow-up "contract for the recovery and growth of Greek economy" ahead of the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels. The final deal will be in force after the expiry in June of the four-month extension of the four-year bailout under February's agreement.

The reform list Greece submitted for examination during the March 9 Eurogroup meeting includes, according to sources, measures to address the humanitarian crisis and administrative reforms aimed to achieve savings in state expenditure, reduce bureaucracy and improve the business climate.

The Greek list is also said to contain policies to reform the tax administration to tackle tax evasion, such as the establishment of a special body of tax controllers.

Greece also appeared to suggest a framework to regulate legal electromic gaming and a settlement of overdue debts to the state and social insurance funds in a bid to ease the burden on the shoulders of recession-hit households and companies and boost revenues.

Under the February 20 Eurogroup bridge deal, Greece will start receiving further funding to stay afloat after a review of the commitments undertaken in April.

Despite financial pressure, the government assures that ways to meet financial obligations will be found and Greece will not face a credit crunch. Enditem