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The Federation’s Proposals for development
Everyone accepts that the economy and the country are at a turning
point, unlike any in the past. That is why we have placed all our hopes
in development, in conjunction with fiscal consolidation and continuing
structural changes, in order to exit this quagmire.
However, we do not see development anywhere.
That is why we believe that if there are no new specific supplementary
policies different from those which have been adopted to date by the
government, we will miss the train of development, and development will
only be seen on paper.
In light of this, the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece sent a
statement of its views and proposals to the Prime Minister of Greece on
how to boost the competitiveness of businesses. In short, our proposals
are as follows:
1. Improving the liquidity of manufacturing companies. The Federation
proposes:
payment and/or offsetting the State’s debts to businesses against
business debts to the State.
VAT rebates for exporting companies.
the inclusion of mandatory clauses in the bank support scheme to
ensure more favourable lending terms for manufacturing companies and
the indirect support for financing exports by providing guarantees or
debt discounting.
2. Subsidising work and not unemployment: A decision should be taken so
that a 25% reduction in employer contributions payable by businesses
applies from 1 January 2011 rather than gradually. Moreover, the
Federation applauds the programmes whereby the Manpower Employment
Organisation (OAED) subsidises 100% of employer contributions payable by
businesses. Moreover, it requests a continuation of those programmes,
targeted at larger businesses.
3. Support for an outward-looking approach as a new model for
development:
30% subsidising for employer contributions for exporting companies for
the next 5 years.
direct VAT rebates for exporting companies.
a change in how the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) and Invest in
Greece Agency operate via measures which seek to increase consumption
and thereby stimulate Greek production. This should also be accompanied
by a practical upgrade in the role of the Economic and Commercial
Affairs Departments at Greek embassies abroad.
4. Reform of the payments system – post-dated cheques: Specific rules
should be adopted to reform the market and to rationalise this specific
practice so that it matches the rules which apply in other European
countries. The maximum limit on the credit period should be set by law.
5. Rapid introduction of a draft law on the licensing of processing
businesses and reform of industrial legislation, with emphasis on a
reduction in delays and a limitation of bureaucracy and the existence of
an excessive number of laws.
6. Kick-starting the construction and building sectors by taking special
measures such as a reduction in property transfer tax by 50% and a full
exemption from payment of that tax for the economically disadvantaged,
offsetting liabilities from VAT, IKA Fund contributions, etc. for
building materials companies, construction firms, etc., with confirmed
debts of the State towards those companies, etc.
7. Transformation of the General Secretariat for Industry / Ministry of
Regional Development & Competitiveness, from a body that simply
implements, carries out and manages programmes into a body that designs,
produces and implements real industrial policy and at the same time
implements sectoral industrial policy and provides support for
vulnerable and dynamic processing sectors (e.g. agricultural produce)
while at the same time highlighting the comparative advantages of the
various areas and regions of Greece, on a par with the policies
implemented in other European countries.
8. Development Business Unit (DBU): Accelerated procedures to staff this
unit and put it into operation so that it can start working over the
months to come, in the context of the new Development – Investment Law.
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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