Within May, the country will submit to the European Commission the request for the subsidy component from the Recovery Fund, after the 4th request for the loan component, which has already been submitted. Meanwhile, the 5th request for the loan component and that of subsidies is expected to be submitted at the end of September and the beginning of October.

This was stated in a press conference by the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, pointing out that the goal is to support entrepreneurship.

According to the minister, this year Greece will have the largest Public Investment Program (PIP) of the last 14 years, at 12.2 billion euros together with the two NSRFs and the Recovery Fund. He estimated that more than 65% of the growth will come through these programs.

Regarding the value and course of investments, he said that in 2024 the growth rate of investments will be stronger due to the maturation of projects. For example, 45% of the loans that have been contracted will be disbursed this year, which also marks the implementation of the investments that have also been contracted.

Regarding the Just Development Transition (DAM) program, the deputy minister said that it is the first program worth 1.6 billion euros that aims to change the production model in the region of Western Macedonia and the Central Peloponnese. In total, invitations amount to 44% and acceptances to 14% of the resources, with a doubling of performance in the last period. The payments amount to 25 million euros, while it is one of the three programs of the new NSRF that have expenses. At the same time, he announced programs that will “run” in the next period to support businesses, to provide liquidity through the EBT, but also to support employment.

It is estimated that the expenditure in 2025 will exceed 381 million euros and the aim is not just to absorb resources, but a productive model so that the enterprises of the just development transition (e.g. de-lignitization) have a future.

For Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), there are said to be 22 contracts worth €2.5 billion aimed at expanding projects, while a further €7 billion of projects are on the way. Special mention was made of the progress of the projects of the universities, the school infrastructures as well as the upgrading of lighting, the accommodation of services of the general infrastructure secretariat, as well as the 5 police directorates. Meanwhile, projects of a green form of marine rhythms, investments in health and waste management are being considered.

With reference to the Hellenic Development Bank (EAT), the goal is to expand the perimeter of those who have access to the banking system. As Giorgos Zavvos mentioned, the goal is to double the number of loans from the 45,000 loans so far, covering the part that cannot be covered by traditional banking. 9.3 billion euros have been disbursed, while the “tools” are loans, but also guarantees. The “package” together with DAM will amount to 4 billion euros of “firepower” for small and medium enterprises.

Besides, in the period after Easter, TEPIX III is expected to “run”, which will have a total of 2.24 billion euros from the NSRF, and will target small and medium-sized enterprises. The new TEPIX will have both a loan fund and guarantees to support start-ups. Agricultural loans amount to 107 million euros, together with a grant for technical consultancy. The DAM fund with 226 million euros also has a guarantee fund and now the final terms are “locked in”.

Finally, for the Hellenic Development Investment Bank (EATE), Mr. Papathanasis mentioned that they manage funds of 2.1 billion euros, with 8 open calls. The leverage of the total investments is 3.5-5 billion euros and will contribute to the creation of new jobs and to the support of export-oriented investments. In the first half of this year, there are 28-30 investment schemes, with total commitments of up to 800 million euros and total capital of up to 1.8 billion euros. It is estimated, with the actions being launched, that by the end of the year there will be 36 investment schemes.