Trade with Greece
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Today we are well aware of what went wrong in
previous years.
We are well aware that we pursued a distorted
and short-sighted growth model, almost exclu-
sively based on private and public consumption,
mainly driven by government debt. We are well
aware that domestic production was covering an
ever decreasing part of ever increasing consump-
tion needs.
And that the economy's productive base was fading
instead of being strengthened, in an environment
that was hostile to investment; an environment
where state intervention left no room for the deve-
lopment of private enterprise and competition.
Now we know that in all the previous years we had
been borrowing in order to enhance the trade bal-
ance of other countries; to support investment,
incomes and jobs abroad.
We know that the state was generously handing
out money, which briefly circulated in the domes-
tic market before leaving the country.
We learned all these lessons in a very painful
manner.
This is why it is unthinkable that some people
remain hooked to the past. That they resist all
change; that they are trying to preserve the ruins
of a tragically failed model, instead of helping
build a new growth paradigm.
It is inconceivable that there are still sectional
interests and union leaderships that entrench
themselves behind petty and vested interests that
blackmail an entire society.
That said, it is equally inconceivable that there
are still representatives of the market who yearn
for inaction. And stubbornly remain in a state of
denial, which prevents them from taking even a
single step forward. It is sad and disturbing that,
after all that we have gone through, there are still
business organizations that oppose reform. And,
instead of demanding more freedom from the
bonds of the state, they call for even greater inter-
vention – feeding the illusion that this way they
are protecting their businesses.
It is time we realized a plain thing:
Exiting the crisis does not mean going back to the
reality we lived in previous years. We cannot, and
must not, go back. We need not borrow more from
our partners in order to cover up, once again, our
economy's structural weaknesses. We need not
have our government out in the markets asking for
loans, so that we can start again consuming other
people's products, like we used to do.
What we need is to start generating the national
wealth that is needed for gradually restoring the
living standards of Greek society.
And the only way to do that is by managing to pro-
duce more, better, international tradable and com-
petitive products and services. By managing to
increase the country's income, not through borrow-
ing, but through exports. By managing to better uti-
lize our country's advantages, in order to attract
new productive investments and create new jobs.
In this effort, entrepreneurship must be a dynam-
ic leader and not a reluctant follower. It is in its
nature to act as a bringer, and not an adversary,
of change.
The state is responsible for creating the neces-
sary conditions. And we are here to demand
them. Through debate, proposals, even conflict.
We are here to demand a stable and competitive
tax system, a more effective public administra-
tion, less state intervention in the markets, a
rational and clear legislative framework, greater
transparency, increased investment in education,
research and innovation.
That said, meeting this great challenge remains in
our hands; the hands of the businesses.
The President of the ACCI,
Constantine Michalos.
