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The Federation of Industries of Northern Greece making a decisive
contribution to manufacturing strategy up to 2020
Over the last decade, manufacturing in Greece has been very low on the
list of government policy priorities (perhaps even in last place) that
have been implemented from time to time. Manufacturing companies face
many and varied problems, and against the background of the global
economic crisis, every aspect of those problems has now become
blindingly clear.
With those thoughts in mind, the Federation of Industries of Northern
Greece (F.I.N.G.) decided, in the summer of 2009, to hold a conference
on Greece’s new industrial policy at various locations across the
country. In doing so, it took the risk of setting in motion a difficult
process in order to address an issue that required both the
participation of stakeholders well-versed with the problems, and in a
position to make proposals on how to develop industry.
The Federation’s decision resulted in unexpected success, since 7
working meetings were organised, attended by more than 500 executives
from various businesses, and more than 150 realistic, tangible proposals
for industrial policy were made.
All the working meetings, without exception, found that the government
has been inactive and has procrastinated about taking decisions
concerning industry in Greece, even though the political leadership of
the country knew about the measures that needed to be taken in order to
bolster the competitiveness of Greek manufacturing companies.
At the last event organised as part of the conference, entitled
‘Industry 2020: Federation of Industries of Northern Greece – Eurobank
EFG: Regional Development – Innovation – Outward-Looking Approach’ held
on Monday 8 February 2010, the Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and
Shipping, Mrs. Louka Katselli, was asked:
1. to make manufacturing central to the development of the Greek economy
over the years to come and
2. to start social dialogue to develop a new industrial policy for
Greece.
To that end, the Federation submitted a proposal for joint working
groups, comprised of businessmen and civil servants, to work on the
industrial policy proposals collected and documented by the Federation.
The Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, Mrs. Louka
Katselli, warmly welcomed the request from the Federation to restore
manufacturing to the forefront of governmental policy for Greece. Mrs
Kastelli mentioned developing a new industrial policy, and announced the
start of dialogue related to industry leading up to 2020, with the
organisation of working meetings, in the context of which the
Federation's proposals would be examined.
The first meeting to examine the Federation’s proposals on the textiles
and clothing sector was held on Wednesday 17 February 2010 in Athens.
The results were encouraging for the adoption of proposals by the State,
which, if implemented, would assist in boosting the competitiveness of
businesses in this sector.
The Federation’s endeavour to restore manufacturing to the heart of the
Greek development process, will continue with similar working meetings
over the days to come in relation to food and beverages and construction
materials.
This process is a clear-cut indication of how manufacturing companies
are contributing to Greece’s new industrial policy. All that is left is
for the political leadership of this country, and civil servants, to
examine with an open mind every proposal submitted, with the sole
criterion being the country’s growth, and in particular that of the
Greek regions.
From this position, I would like to thank all business executives who
took part in the working meetings and who contributed significantly to
recording and documenting the proposals about the progress and future of
the manufacturing sector leading up to 2020.
I would like to reassure them that, all together, we will continue the
endeavour to restore manufacturing sector to the heart of the
development process.
Previous President's Messages
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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
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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
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orientation, productivity and realistic management of the National
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The new
legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
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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
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The
business community – a force for social cohesion in Northern Greece
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