Staikouras: More reductions in taxes and insurance contributions will come

“The government is committed to continuing to reduce taxes and social security contributions over the next four years, to support business with tax incentives in order to create new jobs and to contribute to the utilization of European resources for a high and sustainable economic growth of the economy. And these are proof of its reliability”.

This was stated by the Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras at the event of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, for the awarding of the “Sustainable – Innovative and Responsible Entrepreneurship” awards.

Deputy Minister of Development and Investments Nikos Papathanasis Papathanasis he emphasized that the government’s reform course will not stop and added that the country has already achieved its goal of becoming an investment destination while exports are increasing and its prestige and credibility are constantly being strengthened.

The president of PASOK-Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, stated in his greeting that corporate social responsibility is at the center of the new conditions we are experiencing as a society, while he emphasized that in these times of shrinking incomes, a fairer distribution of the quality wealth created for to support demand.

He noted that society is tired of clientelistic networks, direct contracts and privileged access to finance that, ultimately, prevent healthy productive forces from developing their potential. He added that sustainable entrepreneurship is linked to energy security and equal access to electricity networks, while for the protection of the first home he said that a “second chance for dignity” should be given.

Aiming for a resilient economy, he said, the Recovery Fund should not be another missed opportunity.

With the prices of liquid fuels and energy moving at particularly high levels and the lowest GDP in Europe out of 27, it is not easy to talk about growth, said the Head of Development and Investments of SYRIZA, Alexis Haritsis, noting that “we must to answer who the development concerns. In order not to widen the inequalities in society”.

In addition, he emphasized that the small and medium-sized business is the largest employer, keeps social cohesion and local economies active, and its support is a necessary condition for the restructuring of the Greek economy.

Giannis Hatzitheodosiou

The need to implement a new strategy for small and medium entrepreneurship is imperative, stressed the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Yiannis Hatzitheodosiou, at the event.

In the context of supporting entrepreneurship in the future, as the president noted, the chamber is focusing on a strategy of joining forces and cooperation.

In particular, in the next period, the following actions are being promoted, as the president said:

– A single application for the registration of local businesses is created – for all the Municipalities of Attica.

– Creation of a special program for the study of local markets and the implementation of targeted support actions, with funding from the chamber and especially for the historical center of Athens, the emblematic action AGORA ATHENS will be further upgraded with the revival of the Sound and Light institution, with a new philosophy and under the auspices of EOT et al.

– The establishment of a Cultural, Tourism, Commercial and Creative Innovation Incubator for start-ups, as well as new collaborative open innovation schemes, from traditional businesses in the center of Athens is promoted.

– Creation and support of cooperative formations of businesses and professionals.

– Actions adapted to the needs of small businesses and professionals in matters of green and sustainable development.

– Cooperation with bodies such as the Center for Renewable Sources and Energy, to create an Energy Business Community, which will promote energy innovation and business sustainability.

– Education in the field of training and digital development will continue. The goal for 2023 is to exceed 3,000 and reach 5,000 by the end of 2024, the businesses that will create a free e-shop and website, through the chamber.

– It is planned to prepare a study to improve the accessibility of SMEs to the resources of the Recovery Fund.

– New sectoral investigations are planned while the provision of technological equipment will continue, where necessary.

“Finally, we continue to ask for targeted support measures for as long as the energy crisis lasts. In particular, we consider necessary an arrangement that will enable the repayment of all debts in 120 installments. To give a breather to the market and prevent the accumulation of new bad loans. We also ask that as many small and medium-sized enterprises as possible be included in the actions of the NSRF and the Recovery Fund,” the president emphasized.

The awards

“Family Business” category:

“KAPETANAKIS”. Since 1972 it has been active in the manufacture of jewelry and folk art items (Byzantine art items, museum pieces). It exports its items to 40 countries and some of its pieces are in Museums (e.g. Tokyo).

Business Resilience Category:

“Fagopoteion Bairaktaris”. The Bayraktari family opened its first tavern in 1879 and for six generations has been offering its guests from all over the world traditional Greek cuisine, as well as authentic Greek hospitality.

“Development over time” category:

“Gino hairandmore”. For five decades it has been offering high quality services in the field of hair care and aesthetics. It invests in staff training and today the group has eight stores in Athens and 170 employees.

“Networking” Category:

“FSTC Europe”. It started its operation in 2014 as an aviation academy. It specializes in the training of aircraft operators, aircraft engineers and cabin crew. It managed in a short time, beyond the Greek area, to become known worldwide, attracting companies from countries such as India, the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Latin America, the Bahamas, Thailand, Australia.

“Extroversion” category:

“TRIKALINOS”. With a history dating back to 1856, the company specializes in the production and marketing of roe, which it exports to 42 countries.

Category “Innovation”:

Orbit Global. The company deals with innovative technological solutions that form the basis for ensuring reliable navigation and seamless communication.

Category “ESG Actions (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance)”:

“We4all”. Non-Profit Environmental Organization with the aim of raising awareness and mobilizing schools, companies and volunteers through environmental protection actions.

“Startup Entrepreneurship” category:

Access Lab. It was founded in 2017 and through the GoSafe platform it has developed, it makes it easier for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility such as mums with strollers, young children and the elderly to navigate from one point to another through appropriate ramps, sidewalks and crossings.

Special awards

The special awards were given to:

• Themistocles Bourolias, Chief of the General Staff of the Air Force (GEA), for the work carried out by the Hellenic Armed Forces and especially the Air Force

• Panagiotis Charelas, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Border Guards, for the protection of our country’s borders

• Eleftherios Petrounias, Olympian, for his contribution to Greek sports

• Antonios Avgerinos, president of the Hellenic Red Cross, for his contribution to society as a whole and especially vulnerable social groups

• Kouros Nourmohamadi Baighi, an Iranian student who excelled in the Panhellenic and entered the Electrical Engineering Department of the National Technical University of Athens.

RES-EMP

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.