“It is useful to know the distances we have traveled and they are not small. Because I really believe that the Greece of 2024 has nothing to do with the Greece of 2019. Our economy has come out of intensive, it is recording one of the highest growth rates in Europe. The biggest debt reductions in the world, the investment grade is a fact after 14 years” stressed the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking at the general assembly of the Association of Businesses and Industries held at the Athens Concert Hall.

“Tourism is setting a record, our exports of services and products now reach 50% of the GDP with the contribution of industry and manufacturing constituting a very serious qualitative change in the structure of our economy. We have practically closed half the investment gap that separates us from the rest of Europe,” he said, noting that nearly 500,000 new jobs have been created and unemployment is in the single digits, while wages are rising, often outstripping inflation.

“I believe that Mr. President, dear members of BSE without further ado, now is the time for a new contract of action that will make the cooperation of state and business more effective with distinct roles, with clear rules, but also with common perspectives, so that this positive situation can quickly turn into a new opportunity. The results of private initiative become part of the collective welfare. The national progress should spread horizontally throughout society and throughout the country,” said the Prime Minister.

He pointed out that in this direction, the government’s commitments are already becoming a reality, that the coefficients on business profits in dividends have already been significantly reduced.

The prime minister then referred to the reforms promoted by the government that will enable the country to make a big investment leap.

“Today there is a given in our country, which, although intangible, is a tangible national advantage. And this is none other than political stability,” the prime minister stressed, stressing that this assurance of normality is ultimately the starting condition for every step towards that which ultimately forms a positive investment climate that allows businesses to invest with greater security.

He also said that he supports her Draghi reportwhich highlights the danger of Europe permanently losing ground to the United States, China, tomorrow possibly India, and requires us all to take very bold decisions and ensure that our common European future can be looked at with optimism.

Finally, closing, the Prime Minister said “Mr. President, you know that I am a politician who believes like few in the free economy in the context of a liberal policy that combines the development of the country with the individual advancement of the citizens. A state that does not define but regulates, when necessary, intervenes regulatory. Precisely because I have these positions, I, in turn, want to be clear in the requests that the state has from you. There is no thriving economy without a cohesive society, no successful business without happy and productive employees.”

“And certainly no development in numbers acquires content if it does not ultimately concern the many. You therefore also have your own place in the common front of progress of Greece” he noted.

“What does this mean; That profits are not just to be saved to be distributed in dividends, most of them should be reinvested in business, modernize facilities stimulate research, invest in innovation. We have also greatly improved the tax incentives we give to businesses that do. Your gaze should be not only in Greece but abroad, to stimulate our extroversion but not only. I will say again that business progress must translate into better wages and working conditions. It is something that we already see to a certain extent, but modern entrepreneurship now has a duty to involve the employees of a company in its progress” added the Prime Minister.