From the first day at the Ministry of Development I have been talking about a new productive modelthe Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos, emphasized while speaking on Naftemboriki TV and focused on the conclusions of the Draghi report in order to wake up Europe from its counterproductive lethargy.

This means strengthening the role of industry in our economy, connecting with innovation and research for internationally competitive products and regulating the energy market, he explained.

All these will find their expression in financial tools and policies to attract investments that will be announced on October 21, as we are currently in collaboration with the productive bodies, he added and announced that in this context the Smart Manufacturing program is increasing to 102 million. euros from the 85 million euros, after cooperation with the Deputy Minister of Economy Nikos Papathanasis.

There is no precision minister, the main mission of the Ministry of Development is to strengthen the disposable income of the citizens and to form a new productive model for the country, he answered a question about prices.

In 100 days we’re implementing the toughest legislation in the EU, we’ve doubled the caps, strengthened DIMEA, asked the regions to step up checks across the country as they have to take up their responsibilities and strengthened the Competition Commission to control cartels, he pointed out and added that in this context, 26 companies in 2500 codes are under control for the profit ceiling margin.

Mr. Theodorikakos underlined that he has asked the Competition Commission to prioritize controls on multinationals and stood in his discussions with supermarket companies and food industries, which he has called on to reduce their gross profit margin.

As a result of government policy, prices in supermarkets are on average 1% to 2% below last year’s prices, he noted and clarified that controls will continue and will be strict.

I will ask the new Consumer Ombudsman to do the maximum and most effective work so that she also contributes to the investigation of citizens’ complaints, noted Mr. Theodorikakos.

In recent years there has been an accuracy of around 30% – mainly in energy, transport, housing costs and the increase in interest rates – due to wars and energy crises, as well as a corresponding increase in the minimum wage and we are working towards a minimum wage of 950 euros and average salary at 1500 euros, the Minister of Development emphasized.