Greece auctioned 1.625 billion euros ($2.14 billion) of a six-month treasury bills sale on Tuesday with an increased rate, according to a statement from the Greek Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA).

The six-month treasury bills were sold at an interest rate of 4.95 percent, slightly up from the 4.89 percent secured in the previous similar sale held in November.

Debt-ridden Greece launched a monthly treasury bills sales program to raise funds in 2010 along the bailout plan with European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cover financial needs, after being shut out of international markets due to high interest rates.

The auction was held as EU/IMF inspectors back in Athens this week for consultations with the new transitional coalition government regarding the implementation of the fresh aid package to Greece to avert a default within the eurozone and help the country overcome the crisis.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2011)