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The need to take measures to immediately bolster the economy and improve
business competitiveness
I consider that the first two months of 2011 were quite active for the
Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (F.I.N.G.) both in terms of
contacts with the political leaders of the country and in terms of
decisions directly related to the operation of F.I.N.G. company members
and their day-to-day activities.
At the first meeting of the year in January with the Deputy Minister of
Regional Development & Competitiveness, Mr. S. Xynidis, we raised the
issue of the State making immediate decisions which would provide a
concrete boost to business and would directly benefit companies, while
at the same time contributing to preserving existing jobs.
In this context, the issue of offsetting the State’s debts to businesses
is considered by the Federation to be a vital condition for improving
the level of liquidity for companies in Greece and for preserving
regional industry. On the other hand, in 2011 a series of investments
need to be made which will bolster the regional economy, creating
satellite development and new jobs. A vital condition for that is to set
up a Business Development Unit in Thessaloniki and one which is suitably
staffed; a move which will accelerate the process of implementing
investment plans in Northern Greece under the new Development /
Investment Law.
Contacts between the Federation’s management team and the political
leaders of Greece continued during February with a working meeting with
the Secretary General for Trade, Mr. S. Komninos. Market control and the
establishment of a more robust framework of collaboration between
manufacturing units and retail trade chains is something which, in the
view of the Federation, could contribute to a reduction in prices and
the development of the regional production base. For that reason, the
issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency by the government in
order for businesses to be able to deal with the ever-increasing
competition in the domestic market from products imported from third
countries, the majority of which do not comply with the relevant
specifications.
Contacts between the Federation’s management team and the Vice President
of the European Investment Bank, Mr. P. Sakellaris also continued. Mr.
Sakellaris was asked to support Greece's real economy so that businesses
and the country overall could exit the economic crisis as quickly as
possible.
However, in the two-month period January – February, the government did
make certain decisions which directly relate to business operations:
• However, the new tax law continues to insist on compliance with tax
obligations and the stamping out of tax evasion, since it provides for
the imposition of strict penalties, but does not include measures that
offer prospects for development and does not create an environment which
is friendly for business in order to address the major issue of
liquidity for the production sector of the economy.
• On the other hand, the Federation is particularly pleased about the
solution provided to the problem of transactions with non-cooperative
States. The overturning of the prior decision is a positive indication
that the government can take corrective steps to restore order to the
market when it realises that its decisions affect the interests of
domestic business.
• Lastly, the position of the Federation was vindicated by the reduction
in employer social security contributions for export businesses by 10%
from July 2011 to 25% in 2013. The Federation and businesses in the
region had repeatedly asked for employment to be subsidised not
unemployment.
In any case, measures need to be taken now which will have an immediate
positive impact on how our businesses operate. If that is not carried
out, it is almost certain that the current recession, coupled with the
long-standing bureaucratic approach which is prevalent in the domestic
business environment, will create insurmountable barriers to the
continuation of business in this country.
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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