ATHENS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Greece's government on Tuesday submitted to Parliament for approval the draft of the country's 2024 budget, which foresees a 2.9 percent growth rate next year, up from 2.4 percent in 2023, according to an e-mailed press release from the National Economy and Finance Ministry.

       According to the final draft, the government expects real gross domestic product (GDP) to reach 233.8 billion euros (255.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, its highest level since 2010.

       Despite consecutive challenges, Greece "showed strong resilience," obtained an investment grade rating this year and "will climb even higher," National Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis commented in an e-mailed press statement.

       The rate of inflation is expected to drop to 2.6 percent on average in 2024 from 3.9 percent this year, and the unemployment rate is projected to decrease from 11.2 percent to 10.6 percent.

       Private investments are forecast to increase by 15.1 percent in 2024 (7.1 percent in 2023), and exports of goods and services are projected to rise by 5.6 percent (2.7 percent this year).

       The basic priority of the government's planning for 2024 is to continue on the path of structural reforms to strengthen fiscal stability and support social cohesion with policies aimed to ease the burden on the most vulnerable groups, the minister said.

       The plenary vote on the 2024 draft budget is scheduled for Dec. 17. (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollar)

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