Greece says economy stronger than thought in Q1, shrinking 0.9pc

ATHENS: The Greek economy did markedly better than expected in the first quarter of this year, shrinking by 0.9 percent over a year instead of 1.1 percent estimated in May, the statistics office said on Friday.

The bailed-out and austerity-shocked economy has been in recession for six years, but the latest figures support the government's hopes that this year the economy will switch into growth of 0.6 percent.