Greek Enter- Adequate Funds from the NSRF 2014-2020
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Montaz 2013:Layout 1 12/4/2013 2:19 ìì Page 1 THE ATHENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Trade with Greece ANNUAL BUSINESS, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REVIEW No 44 2013 Although tough, 2013 2013 brings the hope of Greece’s return to growth Trade with Greece Greece with Trade ‘‘Our country is currently leaving the worst of the recession behind’’ Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece Montaz 2013:Layout 1 12/4/2013 2:22 ìì Page 2 02-03 editorial_2013:01-02 theseis proedrou 21-29.qxd 12/4/2013 2:53 ìì Page 1 editorial Although tough, 2013 brings the hope of Greece’s return to growth Constantine Michalos, President of the ACCI We are in the first months of a new year, a year that will be crucial as far as Greece’s effort to exit the crisis is concerned. The current reality is twofold. he positive side includes developments In this context, the Athens Chamber of T such as the achievement of the 2012 Commerce and Industry has made specific pro- deficit target, the improvement of inter- posals in regard to policies, reforms and actions national sentiment towards Greece and the that must be implemented or, at least, expedited: reduction of uncertainty. But there is also another side to this coin: That of Liquidity: the price that society and the market are still pay- ● Acceleration and completion of the banking ing; the side of the recession, which is bound to system’s recapitalization. persevere for a fifth year in a row; the side of ● Fast and effective completion, within the year, company shutdowns and a jobless rate that of the procedure regarding the repayment of approaches 27%. the state’s obligations to the private sector. Which of the two sides will prevail shall be, to a ● Expediting of all actions realized through EIB great extent, decided during 2013. This is the resources. year when the sacrifices must start paying off, ● Faster steps for the release of ETEAN bringing tangible benefits to the real economy: to (Hellenic Fund for Entrepreneurship and employment, households and businesses. Development) funds. Greece’s three-party coalition government must ● Implementation of the plans regarding the cre- try even harder to achieve this goal. Under the ation of the Hellenic Investment Fund. current circumstances, this is a very demanding ● Utilization of Greece’s Chambers of and challenging undertaking. Even so, there is no Commerce and Industry, for the more effective room for failure. implementation of liquidity-boosting initiatives The country is in urgent need of a growth boost, on the local level. which can only come from the mobilization of the NSRF private sector’s forces. ● Intensification of the effort to ensure faster Trade with Greece Trade 1 02-03 editorial_2013:01-02 theseis proedrou 21-29.qxd 12/4/2013 2:53 ìì Page 2 NSRF fund absorption, in order to enhance liq- on new dynamic sectors that capitalize on uidity and support employment. the country’s comparative advantages ● Methodical and systematic effort to secure ● Increasing the average size of Greek enter- adequate funds from the NSRF 2014-2020. prises ● As far as community fund utilization is con- ● Completing the opening of markets and pro- cerned, most EU countries give top priority to fessions enhancing the competitiveness of small and ● Revising the public contracts regime and medium-sized enterprises. Greece should also implementing the e-procurement system move in the same direction, even more seri- ously and methodically, in regard to the utiliza- Growth - Investment tion of both the current, and the next NSRF. ● Advocation to the EU regarding the need to Special emphasis should be placed on actions create Special Economic Zones. covering areas, such as: ● Acceleration of privatizations. ● E-commerce ● Realization of the plan regarding the formation ● ICT access of a Central Licensing Authority for strategic ● Networking and private investment. ● Education and training ● Continuation of the efforts to restart the motor- way projects within the first half of 2013. ● In this context, the Chambers’ existing infra- ● Pursuit of strategic partnerships for the devel- structures and expertise must also be utilized. opment of regional ports and airports. ● Launching of new PPP projects. Business environment ● Formation of a modern and competitive regime ● Establishment of a stable and competitive tax for the development of the logistics sector. regime, which will not only aim at revenues, ● Completion of the projects for the upgrading of but also at growth. rail transport, which is one of the prerequisites ● Prompt clarification of the legislation regarding for exploiting the country’s potential in the field land use. of transit trade. ● Further simplification of procedures, and reduction of the cost of setting up a business. ● Creation of Industrial and Business Parks. The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry ● More effective crackdown of illegal trade and is, and will continue to be, actively involved in all establishment of a dedicated illegal-trade con- efforts aimed at helping the country exit the crisis trol agency. and return to growth; and all this, of course, ● Utilization of the new investment incentives through specific proposals and demands for the law, with the aim of: formation of a more favourable business environ- ● Mustering new investments, emphasizing ment in the country. Trade with Greece Trade 2 04-05 Periexomena_2013:04-05 Periexomena 21-29.qxd 9/4/2013 3:53 ìì Page 2 ECONOMY 6. Our country is currently leaving the "No 44 2013 worst of the recession behind By Antonis Samaras, Annual Business, Economic and Political Review Prime Minister of Greece by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry 8. PUBLISHER: Greece is caught in the deadly Constantine Michalos, ACCI President maelstrom of the Memorandum By Alexis Tsipras, President of the EDITORIAL SUPERVISION: ACCI Press Office, John Fotinias Coalition of the Radical Left and the 7-9 Akadimias str. Athens - tel 210 3646043 Coalition of the Left of Movements and MANAGING EDITOR: Ecology. Theodore Vamvakaris 10 . Greece is going to make it CONSULTING EDITOR: By Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister for John Triiris Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks PHOTO: Costas Lakafosis 12. The strong dynamic of the marine Vassilis Tsakiroglou Tassos Tzanos economy can play a pivotal role in the national effort By Kostis Moussouroulis, Minister of TRANSLATION: Shipping, Maritime Affairs & the Aegean Nick Roussos LAYOUT - DTP: 14. Greece: On the road to recovery ALFA - OMEGA PUBLICATIONS LTD By Christos Staikouras, Alternate 80 Filikis Etairias Halandri, tel 210 6841889 Minister of Finance PRINTING: DIAMOND PRINT 16. The improvement of the investment climate comes as a recognition of our efforts By Stavros Kalogiannis, Alternate Å ôÞ óéá åðé ÷åé ñç ìá ôé êÞ, ïéêï íï ìé êÞ êáé ðïëé ôé êÞ Ýêäï óç ôïõ Minister for Development, Å ìðï ñé êïý êáé Âéïìç ÷á íé êïý Åðé ìå ëç ôç ñß ïõ Áèç íþí Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks ÅÊ ÄÏ ÔÇÓ: Êùí óôá íôß íïò Ìß÷á ëïò, ðñüå äñïò ÅÂÅ Á 18. Market reforms as an answer to the Å ÐÉ ÌÅ ËÅÉÁ ÅÊÄÏ ÓÇÓ Ãñá öåßï Ôýðïõ ÅÂÅ Á, Greek crisis Á êá äç ìß áò 7-9 ÁèÞ íá ôçë 210 3646043 By Athanassios Skordas, Deputy Áñìüäéïò: ÃéÜííçò ÖùôåéíéÜò Minister for Development, ÁÑ ×É ÓÕ ÍÔÁ ÊÔÇÓ - ÓÕÍÔÏ ÍÉ ÓÔÇÓ ÅÊ ÄÏ ÓÇÓ: Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Èï äù ñÞò Âáìâá êÜ ñçò Transport and Networks ÓÕÌÂÏÕËÏÓ ÅÊÄÏÓÇÓ: ÃéÜííçò ÔñéÞñçò 20. Growth in Greece: The Road Ahead By Notis Mitarachi, Deputy-Minister of ÖÙÔÏÃÑÁÖÉÅÓ: Development Êþóôáò Ëáêáöþóçò Âáóßëçò Ôóáêßñïãëïõ ÔÜóóïò ÔæÜíïò ÌÅ ÔÁ ÖÑÁÓÇ: Íß êïò Ñïýóóïò ÄÇÌÉÏÕÑÃÉÊÏ - ÇËÅÊÔÑÏÍÉÊÇ ÓÅËÉÄÏÐÏÉÇÓÇ: ÁËÖÁ - ÙÌÅÃÁ ÅÊÄÏÓÅÉÓ ÅÐÅ ÖéëéêÞò Åôáéñåßáò 80 ×áëÜíäñé, ôçë 210 6841889 ÅÊÔÕÐÙÓÇ: DIAMOND PRINT A.E. 04-05 Periexomena_2013:04-05 Periexomena 21-29.qxd 9/4/2013 3:53 ìì Page 3 Trade with Greece 22. We are not born to wait. We are born to CONSTRUCTION act By Christina Sakellaridis, President of the 92. Motorways become the linchpin of major Panhellenic Exporters Association and the project policy Export Credit Insurance Organization By Panayotis Efthimiades 24. A change of climate for Greece AGRICULTURE contents By Nectarios V. Notis 98. Greece’s soil bears fruit of unique quality 32. There are also positive signs for 2013 – it also bears opportunities By Athanassios H. Papandropoulos By Athanasios S. Tsaftaris, Minister of Rural Development and Food 35. Attracting investment: One of the government’s top priorities 100. Reforming Agriculture: Quality, By Evi Papadosifakis Productivity and Exports By Maximos Charakopoulos, Deputy 42. Industry 2013: Minister of Rural Development and Food The challenges remain, but there are a few silver linings TOURISM By Haris Floudopoulos 104. The growth of tourism is Greece’s only 50. Positive messages for retail trade option for boosting the economy and By Thanassis Heliodromitis ensuring social cohesion By Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism 58. The aim is to make full use of EU funds By Kostas Voutsadakis 106. Our vision for 2020 sees Tourism playing a central role in the effort to promote 66. Greek exports: The dynamic call Greece’s economic and social develop- of the future ment By Leonidas Tsaoulas By Dr. Andreas A. Andreadis, SETE President 74. A new road map for exports By Nickos Ypofantis 108. Investment opportunities in Greek tourism By Artemis Spilioti ENERGY 115. Medical tourism in Greece 82. Energy and natural resources contributing By Ilias Iliopoulos to growth By Makis Papageorgiou, Deputy Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate CULTURE Change 122. Cultural Agenda 84. Energy market priorities By Nicoleta Makri By Christos Colonas STATISTICS 130. By Anna Diana 10-11 Master interview_XATZIDAKIS:06-07 Karamanlis 21-29.qxd 9/4/2013 3:37 ìì Page 1 06-07 Master interview_SAMARAS:06-07 Karamanlis 21-29.qxd 9/4/2013 4:20 ìì Page 2 Our country is currently leaving the worst of the recession behind This means a lot for both our citizens, and the businesses that wish to make investments.