Our positions about what is needed for the future
are clear:
● Speeding up and completing structural change
in both the economy and the state. Not as a
demand of the lenders, that has to be satisfied
in any way and at any cost. But as a national
necessity, aimed at establishing a modern,
productive and competitive economy.
● Formulating a clear national development plan,
with a far-reaching orientation and explicit priori-
ties. Utilizing the country's comparative advan-
tages, though the creation of new innovative
industries for the production of top-quality, inter-
nationally competitive, high-added-value goods.
Differentiating and upgrading the output of
conventional industries, to ensure that their
competitiveness is not solely based on the cost
factor. Operationally linking agricultural pro-
duction and the food industry.
● A simple, stable and competitive tax system.
Featuring a 15% tax rate on the entire taxable
income of legal entities, the upgrading of the
Tax Procedure Code in regard to fines and
audits, a gradual reduction of VAT rates, the
exemption from VAT for small enterprises with
annual gross incomes of up to €25,000, and a
radical overhaul of property taxation.
● A bold plan for fighting tax evasion. Promotion
of e-invoicing, and introduction of incentives
for both businesses and consumers to
increase the use of electronic transactions. A
potential reduction in tax rates will be condi-
tional on the results of this project.
● Utilization of NSRF 2014-2020 funds for
improving the competitiveness of small and
medium-sized enterprises. Enhancement of
instruments such as venture capital funds,
business angels, soft loans, startup funds in
areas such as new technologies, agricultural
production etc.
● Boosting the competitiveness of domestic pro-
duction. Decisive interventions, within the
bounds of European legislation, for reducing
energy costs, and especially industrial power
prices. Further simplification of procedures, and
reduction of the cost of setting up a business.
Creation of Industrial and Business Parks.
● Supporting the export activities of Greek enter-
prises. Expansion of co-financing and guaran-
tee programmes for export-oriented enterprises;
establishment of an Import-Export Development
Bank, drawing on successful examples from
abroad.
Provision of special tax incentives for engaging
in extrovert business activities.
● Speeding up administrative reform, the priorities
being the restructuring of the public sector, the
design of advanced organization charts, the
establishment of qualitative and quantitative
productivity targets, the creation of a serious
evaluation system, with incentives and mecha-
nisms for awarding and attracting the best.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that the business
world understands the difficulties the government is
facing in its negotiation with our partners and credi-
tors. Realism, though, dictates that there is an
urgent need for reaching an agreement that will
satisfy Greece's partners and will set the econo-
my on a new course, boosting sound entrepre-
neurship and strengthening the country's social
fabric.
Trade with Greece
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