On specific reforms, such as the expansion of POS and cash register connectivity across the entire retail industry in Greece, as well as broader government planning issues, he had the opportunity to address the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Haris Theocharis during his visit to Larissa.

Mr. Theoharis successively visited the local DOU and the Public Revenue Investigation and Assurance Service (YEDDE) of Larissa. In the extensive discussions that took place with officials of the two services, the Deputy Minister developed the Government’s positions regarding the series of initiatives, new and old, which the Ministry of National Economy and Finance is promoting at a rapid pace, especially with regard to issues such as modernizing the system and cracking down on tax evasion.

As the deputy minister pointed out in his statements, “the Ministry of National Economy and Finance has placed a very high priority on the continuous dialogue with the market. We are next to our local services, we listen to the pulse of society, we listen carefully to the concerns and observations recorded in the daily dealings of the state with the citizens. We are in the phase of implementing a series of very important initiatives – I remind you of the application of QR Code on invoices, the extension of the mandatory use of POS to 35 new sectors of the market, the connection of POS and cashiers, the ‘locking’ of VAT returns with myData, etc. With direct interaction, like the one we have today in Larissa, we intervene where there are malfunctions in order to limit the risk of delays. And always with realism and a practical spirit, so that we don’t unnecessarily trouble the traders”.

In response to a journalist’s question about the extent of the interconnection of POS and cash registers, Mr. Haris Theocharis emphasized that “I would divide the reactions to POS into two categories, the constructive and the malicious: There are, therefore, reactions in terms of the way of implementation of the new measures, which focus on improvement actions to be taken in order to improve the efficiency of the process and reach the desired result. Which is the use of POS across retail, not being able to issue a receipt without a POS interface. On the other hand, there are reactions that aim to sabotage the enforcement of legality. We hear the first ones, we are here with open ears. We turn a deaf ear to the latter, because they do not accept the essence of the effort, which is the fight against tax evasion”.

At Larissa Secondary School, the deputy minister was welcomed by the head Mr. Tziatsoudisthe regional director of the Taxation Region of Thessaloniki, Mr. Tyrovouzis, and the head of the Tax Administration, Mr. Margaritis.

Subsequently, a closed working meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Haris Theoharis with the administration of the Larissa Chamber of Commerce and representatives of local bodies at the Chamber’s offices. At the beginning of the meeting, the mayor of Larisa, Mr. Thanasis Mamakos, and the deputy governor of Thessaly, Mr. Evangelos Apostolou, addressed a short greeting to the Deputy Minister. During the meeting, the president of the Larissa Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Kotsibogeorgos, the present members of the administration and the present representatives of the agencies brought to the attention of Mr. Theoharis issues arising from the natural disasters of last September, as well as proposals related to the daily activity of businesses, tax accountants, etc.

Summing up, the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Haris Theocharis, emphasized the need for the unwavering implementation of the reforms that have been instituted, stating at the same time that “the fundamental goal of the current government term is to combat tax evasion, which in turn will allow the ability to process changes to tax rates. The meaning of my own presence as a representative of the Government’s economic staff in Larissa, as well as in other areas of the country where we will make similar visits in the near future, is to have a constantly open channel of communication with the real market and to listen to Greek society in its entirety”.