Investment Law and Northern Greece

The new Investment Law came into force a few days ago and will take effect from now and until 31 December 2013.

For the first time in fifteen years, Thessaloniki has been included in an incentive scheme, whereas based on previous laws, only part of the Thessaloniki prefecture enjoyed the existence of capital incentives. In addition, this new law makes provision for higher subsidies to enterprises that are located in industrial areas, a rather positive measure for our member-enterprises that are established in the Thessaloniki Industrial Area, which is perhaps the largest industrial zone in Greece.

Let us acknowledge the positive fact that aid for businesses does exist. This alone constitutes a step forward and an unquestionable reality. However, our next question relates to the aid that has been assigned for the remaining Northern Greek regions. Despite the fact that Eastern Makedonia - Thrace and Epirus fall under the category of the maximum aid ceiling, the minimal difference of 10% compared to other regions negates this positive government decision. Especially with regard to Thrace, we must consider the role that we all wish it to “play” in our future relations with Turkey… The same applies, although with greater intensity, to Epirus, the only region in Greece that is truly cut off from the country’s principal product markets. Lastly, we must not forget Western Makedonia. We all speak of making the region less dependent on the generation of electricity and mining activities. How can this be done? By attracting enterprises that enjoy the same incentives as those established in Boeotia?

Of course we acknowledge the “development difficulties” that exist throughout the country’s regions. I would also like to emphasise that it is not our belief that we should enjoy “special privileges” compared to other Greeks. Nevertheless, we did expect the positive government decisions regarding the region of Northern Greece to include incentives that have a greater “distance” from those in the centre.

However, since I am an optimist, I hope that the disparity that has been established by the new law will soon be rectified. As regards the Ministerial Decision that is to be issued in the forthcoming period and shall concern the additional rate of aid granted to small and medium-sized enterprises, we request that additional aid not be granted to enterprises in the centre and that the maximum rate be spent on the enterprises in our region.

We are aware of the difficulties that lie behind such a decision. However, it is time that we stop thinking about the political cost and start setting sustainable development priorities that enhance social cohesion in the country’s geopolitically sensitive areas.

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