The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-02-22

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Britain: Michael Jackson Preparing his Comeback

King of Pop Michael Jackson is in talks with concert organisers for a comeback series of up to 30 live shows in London later this year, a source close to the negotiations told AFP Saturday.

As per the Times, Sun and Saturday's Daily Mail, the singer can secure up to โค1.5 million from each concert, a development that may help him pay off his debts.

The source, who requested anonymity, confirmed media reports that the 50-year-old "King of Pop" could be set to play his first major concerts since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

VIP tickets can be sold for โค1,000 and Michael Jackson can make up to โค150 million for this series of concerts that may be held in London's O2 arena with a 20,000-seat capacity.

News item: 19237

[02] Franchising Companies Can Participate in TEMPME

Development Minister K. Hatzidakis has inaugurated the "11th KEM World Franchise 2009 Exhibition". The minister reported that "entrepreneurial development through franchising amid recession, similar to the one we are facing today constitutes an interesting method of development for old and new businessmen, as well as for small and medium-sized enterprises." He also added that the sector has been developing at fast pace in Greece, which has reached 15% in the last five years. As he said, there are 600 chains in total with about 17,000 shops and over 100,000 employees, calling on enterprises of the sector to participate, if they wish, in TEMPME programmes.

"The programme has developed satisfactorily despite the criticism against it. Today, after one month of operation over 9,000 loans, amounting to one billion euros have been approved. Additionally, franchising companies can freely participate in the programme provided the mother company's participation does not exceed 25%.

He also reported that Greece went up 10 positions in 2009 in the world list of competitiveness, as per the Doing Business report of the World Bank. "However, we are not satisfied, we wish much more", he added and referred to the ministry's strategic programme in 2009. This programme gives emphasis to the operation of the Competition Committee and the control of the market in all stages, as well as to the boosting of liquidity, the protection and boosting of competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and the creation of new investing opportunities.

In parallel, he stressed that for the free market to operate smoothly, traders should act responsibly, the state should carry out checks and consumers should become active. Mr Hatzidakis concluded his speech by saying that the ministry intends to offer its support, examine their requests in order to help their sector develop to the benefit of businessmen, the Greek economy and Greece.

News item: 19235

[03] Illegal Immigrants from Turkey Located in Lamia

The police in Lamia discovered 28 illegal immigrants in four parked trucks in Lamia on Saturday. The trucks had come from Turkey. According to the police' original information, the trucks were carrying drugs.

News item: 19245

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