Prospects for growth in Northern Greece in an environment of international crisis

The growth dynamic of Northern Greece, and especially of the businesses based in the region, has suffered a decline in recent months, owing to both internal and external factors, and also to isolated events – chief among them the strike at the Port of Thessaloniki.

At the same time, the financial results now being published by our members show a fall in profits in relation to last year, while qualitative evidence, on both the individual business and sector levels, also demonstrates that we have entered a difficult period.

The economic crisis has also brought to the fore once again the basic problem of the Greek economy, and therefore of Northern Greece, i.e. the chronic structural problems which stand in the way of self-generated growth. Unfortunately here in Greece we have no lines of defence against these crises; we are totally dependent on oil, have no resistance to inflation, rising prices and unemployment. And as usual, we have failed to set anything aside for a rainy day.

Furthermore, the global economic crisis and lack of State support have thrown into sharp relief the weaknesses of the local system of production.

We call on all sides to face up to their responsibilities – and first of all the State, which must make industry a priority and improve the domestic business environment. A new policy for the industrial sector - one which focuses on innovative actions and the development of new products and services, and of necessity combined with encouragement to businesses to adopt more outward-looking attitudes – may provide us with a real opportunity to move forward from the crisis.

On the other hand, red tape, a plethora of legislation and inability to exercise a specific policy for industry, will all lead inexorably to a reduction in business activity.

Unfortunately, in this difficult environment, businesses find themselves assailed on all sides, attacked indiscriminately in a manner and with an intensity which in some cases has bordered on libel and calumny.

In a climate of avoiding any responsibility for the situation, blame is laid upon the business community, using an arsenal of generalizations and simplifications which have fostered a highly negative impression among ordinary people.

Such a negative climate, with its demonization of private initiative and entrepreneurship, will lead invariably to further reduction of the country’s productive base, with direct and grave consequences for, above all, the country’s regions.

But with even a rudimentary change in the attitude of the State and society, with a more positive approach to business activity, we can recover as a country and look forward with optimism to a brighter future.

Whatever the circumstances, it is our belief that Northern Greece represents the heart of the Greek regions. Its significant potential for development represents a true driving force for growth for the country as a whole.

Northern Greece has a robust network of production made up of dynamic and outward-looking businesses, which have opened up new markets – first of all in neighbouring target-countries – and are engaged in a daily struggle to adjust to the new circumstances in the external environments where they do business.