version and boosting exports;
•
reforming tertiary education, with the aim of
exposing it to modern knowledge;
•
the full modernization of the operating frame-
work for Greek agriculture;
•
rekindling the market, and reducing unemploy-
ment.
The Greek government has focused on the above
by undertaking an unprecedented plethora of leg-
islative initiatives, which facilitate the enterprises’
day-to-day operation, investments and strategic
plans in regard to establishment and growth, so
that no opportunity for producing useful wealth for
themselves and the country is wasted.
In a European democratic country, the Greek gov-
ernment’s effort is not carried out in an autarchic
and unidirectional manner, but by fostering con-
sensus with the political forces and the society.
Using the language of truth and reason; being
aware of the difficulties that the citizens are fac-
ing, albeit not ignoring that now is the Greek
economy’s chance to gain a new, sustainable
dynamism. Every delay is simply making things
worse. Persuading citizens and the productive
forces that the path of hard work, based on the
comparative advantages of Greece’s European
identity, geographical position, natural endow-
ment, cultural heritage and extrovert production
model, is the only way out of the recession and
the deterioration of our quality of life.
Despite adversities, our restrained optimism
seems to take on tangible form. International
developments are fully compatible with the
exceptional effort made, especially by the Prime
Minister, for putting an international rein on the
impunity of uncontrolled attacks against relatively
weaker economies, which need support and not a
coup de grace
. Without discounting any expecta-
tion and commitment concerning the introduction
of rationality in financial management, it is nice to
see a universal call for alleviating the demands
for the repayment of our debts. This is an act of
financial rationality, not an act of mere generosity.
On the domestic front, in 2010 we managed to
reduce the deficit by the widest margin ever: six
percentage points of the GDP above the 5.5
points of our initial commitment. Our exports reg-
istered notable growth in 2010, attesting to the
Greek economy’s latent dynamism. The first
signs of disinflation are evident in the first two-
months of 2011. We have become the object of
significant interest from global financial powers, in
regard to economic cooperation and investments
in Greece. The messages we are receiving from
everywhere can be summed up in just one
phrase:
“Greece is on the right track”
.
The conclusion is self-evident to every analyst.
Greece is currently proving that it is both willing
and able. It will succeed in restarting its economy
on the appropriate basis, and under conditions of
sound competition. With many comparative
advantages. Now it is time for entering the Greek
market, not in order to make profits from a fire
sale, but in order to invest in a healthy, dynamic
and influential philosophy.
Trade with Greece
17
photo: Costas Lakafossis
