Business briefs…

— The Central Union of Greek Chambers on Friday expressed its opposition to the introduction, as of April 1, of a government measure to impose a ceiling of 3,000 euros – including VAT – in all cash transactions in the country, as part of an effort to combat tax evasion.

— A first round of talks, between banks and bank employees’ union (OTOE) over a new collective labour agreement ended in a deadlock on Friday, with OTOE rejecting a bankers’ proposal to cut 5.0 pct in wages.

— Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling on Friday announced it planned to return capital to shareholders up to 0.50 euros per share. Final decision was expected in a regular general shareholders’ meeting scheduled for May 6 which will also discuss a board plan to change the company’s statute over its equity capital structure.

— The general government deficit totaled 3.061 billion euros in January, the finance ministry said on Friday. In a report, the ministry said the central government’s deficit totaled 3,286 billion euros, while legal entities reported a surplus of 174 million euros, municipal authorities a surplus of 77 million euros and pension funds a deficit of 26 million euros in the first month of 2011.

— Athens will host the 11th International Venture Capital & Private Equity Forum, on April 5-6. The forum is co-organised by Invest in Greece, the Association of Greek Venture Capital Enterprises and Praxis Network, coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network-Hellas.