ATHENS — "Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Alternate Finance Μinister Theodoros Skylakakis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos and members of the Executive Committee of the Recovery Fund on Wednesday presented the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Greece 2.0. It concerns the use of EU funds, grants and loans amounting to 32 billion euros, which will mobilise additional private funds of 25 billion euros. It will add 57 billion euros to the country's developmental process, increase GDP by 7.0 points over the next six years and aspires to create an additional 200,000 new jobs," government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni said on Thursday during a press briefing.

As the government spokesperson pointed out, "the Plan outlines a roadmap for 170 specific reforms, investments and projects throughout Greece and combines economic efficiency with social cohesion and justice."

The National Recovery Plan, she added, "is developmental and at the same time social. It fundamentally changes the model of the Greek economy, transforming it into a competitive and open economy with a digital and efficient state. It refers to the revolution that comes from tomorrow and constitutes – as the Prime Minister stressed – the bridge that will lead our country not only to the post-Covid era, but also to the third decade of the 21st century.

The Plan unfolds on four pillars:

1st: The digital transition of the State, businesses and citizens.

2nd: An increase of employment and the cohesion of society.

3rd: The green transition, to which more than 37 pct of the project resources are dedicated.

4th: A "leap" in productive and business activity.

Peloni also commented on plans to ease pandemic restrictions, starting with the gradual opening of retail trade and travel between municipalities.

"Specifically, it was decided to allow the operation of retail stores, except for department stores and shopping malls, as of Monday, April 5. For their transfer to shops, people will use a special code and have three hours at their disposal.

"In addition, as of Saturday, April 3, and only on weekends, vehicle travel between municipalities will be allowed, using code 6 for personal exercise."

Next week, the committee will examine the possibility of reopening schools, with the prospect of starting the operation of some classes on April 12 using the self-diagnostic home tests.

Also, the operation of department stores and shopping centers will be re-evaluated, she said.

A meeting chaired by the prime minister regarding the reopening of restaurants and bars will be held at 16:00 on Thursday and will be followed by announcements, Peloni said.