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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.
Previous President's Messages
Zero profits for processing industries in Northern Greece in 2010, with one in three businesses reporting losses
Only daring decisions will take the country out of this impasse
The Federation’s Proposals for development
The need to take measures to immediately bolster the economy and improve business competitiveness
A new year – new expectations for growth and development
Developmental measures to offset unemployment benefits with job subsidies
Enhancing "Greek Value" by resolving problems that drag on
Greece’s rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking is encouraging news amidst the crisis
The Federation of Industries of Northern Greece making a decisive contribution to manufacturing strategy up to 2020
The government's immediate priorities in 2010 to develop the infrastructure in Thessaloniki and boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises
Expectations from the new government: the manufacturing sector should be the new government’s focus
Industry should be among the Government’s policy priorities
Industry centre stage again
Proposals for avoiding the financial crisis
Bold decision-making for avoiding the financial crisis
Prospects for growth in Northern Greece in an environment of international crisis
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The market of izmir: the next goal for outward-looking enterprises of
northern greece
The
new government’s aspirations for thessaloniki and northern greece:
fing’s proposals for development
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in International Markets
Regional
development policy as an engine for local industrial development
Global
orientation, productivity and realistic management of the National
Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). The challenges for 2007
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The new
legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
Thessaloniki has the potential to become the second pole of development
for Greece and the headquarters for development organizations nationwide
Changing
attitudes to combat unemployment – Proposals for creating closer links
between education and production
Support
for the Regions: From now on, policy actions and not just policy
announcements
The
business community – a force for social cohesion in Northern Greece
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