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The government's immediate priorities in 2010 to develop the infrastructure in Thessaloniki and boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises
2010 is a turning point, a critical year for Greece since, over the next
12 months, all of us will be called upon to face the crisis on multiple
levels; a crisis which has been having a negative impact on the
country’s growth and development for the last year and a half.
In order to overcome the crisis in the economy in general, the
government's top -perhaps even sole - priority for 2010 should be to
make fiscal adjustments. In addition to measures taken in that respect,
particular priority must also be given to developing the Greek regions
and to boosting entrepreneurship in the regions.
In the case of Thessaloniki in particular, we consider the development
of its infrastructure will assist in transforming the city into a more
significant focal point for growth in Greece and consequently in SE
Europe. However the following steps need to be taken in order to achieve
that:
1. Procedures to implement the Thessaloniki Innovation Zone need to be
stepped up and special incentives need to be introduced to encourage new
economy businesses, both Greek and foreign, to set up within the
boundaries of the Zone. In this context, the sites which will host
innovative activities must be designated, at the very least, so that the
first enterprises can begin to establish themselves at those sites in
the near future.
2. All production infrastructure should be modernised, and above all,
construction work at pier 6 of the Port of Thessaloniki should be
accelerated.
3. A new, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art exhibition centre should be
built by 2012 to which the existing Thessaloniki International Fair will
relocate.
4. Environmental infrastructure (waste treatment plant) located in the
Thessaloniki Industrial Area should be modernised and
5. The connecting road between the Thessaloniki Industrial Area and the
Athens–Thessaloniki National Road and the
Thessaloniki–Halkidona–Edessa–Florina National Road needs to be
completed.
The Federation also proposes that an international competition be
announced to investigate the future development of Thessaloniki, and to
specify the infrastructure network which is necessary for the city to
function and which is needed for the city to play its role over the next
30 years. With this in mind, we consider that emphasis should be placed
on highlighting and utilising the city’s seafront to greater advantage.
We consider that the measures which the government ought to take in 2010
to boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises are as
follows:
1. Development of effective industrial policy involving the General
Secretariat for Industry / Ministry of Finance, Competitiveness &
Shipping being transformed from a body which simply implements, applies
and manages programmes, to a body which develops, produces and
implements industrial policy.
2. Implementation of an indirect, sectoral industrial policy and
provision of support for vulnerable and dynamic manufacturing sectors
such as agricultural products, while also highlighting the comparative
advantages of Greece's various regions and areas, along the same lines
as policies adopted in other European countries, preferably with
financing for Greece’s producers.
3. An end to piecemeal, fragmented investments.
4. The development of targeted programmes to boost the international,
outward-looking approach of manufacturing enterprises, with the aim of
increasing consumption levels of all manner of Greek products abroad.
5. The development of a stable, less-bureaucratic operating framework
for the markets which will favour businesses. Protection of unrestricted
competition and an improved role for the Hellenic Competition Commission
and,
6. Improvement of all manner of infrastructure which facilitates
businesses.
Lastly, the main issue at present, and over the months to come, is to
put back the manufacturing sector at the heart of government policy.
Previous President's Messages
A New Year showcasing GREEK VALUE
A new year, with changes in the state and society
Change of Prime Minister accompanied by new expectations about a way out of the financial crisis
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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