ATHENS – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to present the government's economic policy for the next two years during the opening weekend (September 11-12) of the 85th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

The 2021 85th TIF will be physically held at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre between September 11-19, in observance of all necessary coronavirus public health safety protocols. This year's thematic overall title is "Greece: Past-Present-Future".

According to government sources, a package of measures for the protection of vulnerable households against current and upcoming price hikes in basic goods and in electricity or natural gas will also be presented, in response to international increases in raw materials' prices.

Concerning positive governmental interventions at taxation level, expected changes reportedly relate to extending into 2022 the pausing of solidarity tax payment requirements for private sector salary workers and freelancers. Moreover, reduced social insurance contributions, by three percentage points, will also be extended, while taxation rates for company earnings will be reduced to 22 pct from the current 24 pct.

The cost of all the above relief measures is estimated to exceed 1.5 billion euros.