We are determined as an industry to become effective in the “battles” for climate change, emphasized the president of SVAP, Mr. Dimitris Mathios, as the key speaker of the central topic at the open official meeting of the Association’s Annual Regular General Assembly, while in the work of the closed meeting of the members made an impression of the situation and the needs of the industry of Attica and in this direction.

Specifically, Mr. Mathios, giving his own answer to the essence of the issue of the effects of climate change and on industry, emphasized that his central stimulus is that this new crisis, the climate one, brings us before fiscal and real problems, which will weaken the Greek state, like of course the other countries of Europe and the rest of the planet.

And this, said Mr. Mathios, because we will have to suffer huge costs of green transition, to stop the worst and pay at the same time a very large cost of adaptation, the disasters and the imposed prevention policies.

The positive thing is, added Mr. Mathios, that everything that is caused is accepted by the government and rightly, in my opinion, urges us to become extremely efficient.

We, of course, fully applaud these findings, concluded the president of SVAP.

The speech on the subject by the president of EBEP, Mr. V. Korkidis, was aimed in the same direction, with the remark that “A desirable state of “net zero” for our planet is one in which the greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere are equivalent to by removing them from it. If there is no sustainable planet, there can be no society, no economy and of course business and work. Accordingly, sustainable economic activity is intrinsically dependent on clean energy production and the planet’s natural resources.

And Mr. Korkidis agreed that “Businesses are the key to an economically sustainable and just transition, providing quality employment, goods and services to citizens. For this to happen, we all business actors must remain consistent in a continuous and open dialogue, shape an image of investment certainty and ensure tailored measures to support our businesses.”

Mr. Georgios Christopoulos, General Secretary of Economic Policy and Strategy, representing the government, underlined, conveying the government’s views: “Tackling the climate crisis while strengthening competitiveness is a difficult equation. After all, this is a debate that is ongoing and intense at the level of the European Union. In Greece, however, we have proven that this equation is not solvable. The development of the Renewable Energy Sources sector shows that the green transition can be a catalyst for growth and extroversion for the Greek economy. But in order to do this, a number of conditions must be met: A modern regulatory framework, incentives that will compensate for some of the risks, access to the appropriate financial tools and investments in the necessary infrastructure.”

The same horizons were highlighted with her intervention, among others, by MEP and ND candidate Mrs. Maria Spyrakis, who as a member of the European Parliament and rapporteur or co-rapporteur of a series of legislations concerning the industry emphasized that in her opinion the co-authors, the stakeholders and industry need to march together and implement synergies in the implementation of various policies. Industry should be an important partner in innovation efforts. That is why our Greece should be a country of industrial innovation within a Europe that creates the appropriate conditions and conditions to remain a continent of industrial production.

In the same spirit and expressing his concern, Mr. Michalis Sfakianakis, Rector of the University of Piraeus, presented his speech referring to the emission of gases, the increase in temperature and the greenhouse effect which, as he said, entail risks in all sectors of business and of society. Finally, he mentioned the collaborations of the University of Piraeus with specialized agencies so that the Foundation is in front of the developments of climate change and in turn contributes to the effort to prevent the negative consequences.

Mr. Petros Varelidis, Secretary General of Natural Environment and Waters said: “The Planet will survive. Man is called upon to deal with the normal number of climate change resulting in increased costs. Greece cannot solve the climate issue on its own. Greece follows the European policies and rules of the rights trading system, ATS emissions.

Mr. Grigoris Chondrokoukis Professor, Director of the PMS in Industrial Management & Technology of the University of Piraeus underlined: “Climate Change is an undeniable reality and industrial environments are at the center of the crisis. However, dependence on fossil fuels and unsustainable practices have contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of climate change. The question we need to answer today is how we can transform industrial environments to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, without sacrificing economic growth and social well-being.”

Mr. Filippos Kambouris, president of the LAOS party, welcomed the assembly stressing that the political leadership should support and help businessmen with funds in their businesses to manage the next day.

Mr. Giorgos Vrettakos, Member of Parliament for the 2nd District of Piraeus, mentioned that climate change is a global problem. In order to deal with the effects, protocols should be followed such as e.g. 50% of the energy mix to come from renewable energy sources. The environment must be protected. Europe to become Green.

In the closed session of the General Assembly of SVAP, Mr. Dimitris Mathios analyzed the goals of the new financial year emphasizing, among other things, that until the next General Assembly, the permanent position of our Association and the main goal will be the continuation of an effective investment boost combined with help to adapt businesses to the economic and technological changes in a stable reform environment that will immediately and significantly improve our competitiveness and strengthen our extroversion.

The coordination of the discussions was then undertaken by the vice-president of SVAP, Mr. Nikolaos Karageorgiou as the president of the Assembly, and the executive president, Mr. Stavros Theodoropoulos.

This was followed by a presentation of the activities of the SVAAP by the General Secretary Mrs. Mary-Anne Velli.

The financial report of the management of the year 2023 and the budget of 2024 was analyzed by the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. of SVAP Mr. Vassiliki Christopoulos. The focus of the work that followed was the ongoing study of IOBE by the General Director Mr. Nikos Vettas. Subject of the study “The contribution of Manufacturing to the economy of the Attica Region.”

In its main findings, it is mentioned that manufacturing is a strategically important sector for the economy, with a strong presence in the Attica Region. It also contributes to the EU’s strategic autonomy by producing internationally tradable goods.

And also that manufacturing produces 8.4% of the GNP of the Attica Region. It employs 147 thousand people in the Region, 41% of employment in the domestic Manufacturing sector and 8.2% of employment in Attica.

The regional governor of Attica, Mr. Nikos Hardalias, intervened on the issue of Attica’s industries and the study of the current situation, pointing out among many others that: “Attica offers a significant comparative advantage for the development of manufacturing activities. A number of critical factors such as our population size, qualified human resources, combined with the concentration and operation of the country’s most important educational and research institutions, modern infrastructures and our central position on the international trade routes of goods, create the appropriate environment for the further development of innovative and competitive industrial activities in Attica, with respect for the environment and the goals of sustainable development. As a Regional Authority, we practically support healthy entrepreneurship, through the projects and actions we implement or plan for the coming years.

We perceive the Manufacturing sector as our strategic ally in achieving our central goal of creating a more competitive and intelligent Attica, through the promotion of innovative and intelligent economic transformation, as well as regional digital connectivity.”

The presentation of the study and the proceedings of the meeting were also attended by the president of EBEA, Ms. Sofia Kounenaki-Efraimoglou.

The Open General Assembly was attended by: the parliamentary representative of PASOK-KINAL, Mr. Michalis Katrinis, the Member of Parliament A Piraeus of the ND Mr. Kostas Katsafados, the Member of Parliament 2 Piraeus of the ND Mr. Michalis Livanos, Mr. Yiannis Melas the MP of Piraeus of ND, president of the Development Company of the Region of Attica, Mr. Nikolaos Papageorgiou, the Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection of the Region of Attica, Mr. Leonidas Manolakos, the late Member of Parliament for Piraeus, Mr. Nikos Manolakos, the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Sustainable Development of the Municipality of Piraeus, Mr. Dimitris Karydis, the late Mayor of Mandras-Idyllias Mr. Giorgos Drikos, the authorized councilor for entrepreneurship of the Municipality of Athens Ms. Zacharoula Agrogianni Mukriotou, the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce Mr. George Papamanolis-Dozas, the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce Mr. Theodoros Kapralos, the vice-president of SVTHSE Mr. Loukas Papacharalambous, G.G. of SVSE, Mr. Andreas Loukatos, the vice-president of ETHEAS, Mr. Christos Giannakakis, the General Director of the Secretariat of Productive Entrepreneurial Bodies of the ND, Mr. Yiannis Triantafillou and other actors of local and productive and Sectoral Organizations.