“Having stabilized the economy, we will turn our attention to things that have to do even more with investment, exports, competition, competitiveness of the Greek economy, with the support, through the banking system and the national Development Bank, businesses and especially small and medium -sized enterprises. “

This was emphasized, among other things, by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking tonight at an event organized in Patras, the Chamber of Achaia.

Indeed, as he characteristically stated, “we are combining two things, fiscal prudence and pro -business policy and in this way we will proceed in 2025.”

He also noted that “despite the steps that have been taken, others can be done to support entrepreneurship, especially small and medium -sized entrepreneurship”.

He also said that “through the NSRF, we must support export companies more and more tangible to deal with the problem of payments on a more permanent basis.”

Speaking about innovation, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized that “recently a law has passed in relation to the incentives for innovation and mergers, which in relation to innovation is the most promoted law throughout the European Union, because giving opportunities to businessmen, We want to become a country of opportunities. “

Elsewhere in his speech, the Minister of National Economy and Finance said that “in the last five and a half years, according to official data from the Commission, Eurostat, OECD, all international organizations, our country is the country with A greater increase in investment across the European Union, ie 64%”and added:” But we have not reached the European Union average in terms of investment. But we were at 11%, when the average European Union was 21%and now we have reached 17%. The course is certainly positive and is recognized by all international observers. “

Continuing on the course of the economy, he pointed out:

“Our exports as a percentage of the country’s gross national product are more than twice as much compared to 2008 and that means something to the productive model. The deposits were about 145 billion euros in 2019 and now it is about 195 billion euros, that is, they are 50 billion euros more.

In one country about 10.5 million people have been created within 5.5 years half a million new jobs. This was neither easy nor automatic, and because we are pursuing an economic policy that does not claim a Nobel Prize in the economy, but it is certainly an economic policy that implements successful international and mainly European practices. With fiscal prudence and opening to entrepreneurship we can at the same time achieve primary surpluses and have much higher growth rates than other European Union countries. “

Speaking about fiscal prudence, he said that “we are steadily trying to have a neat budget and a neat budget policy”, adding:

“Applying such a policy since 2019, we have managed, among other things, to get the investment level last year. Also, only for the loans we got last year thanks to the investment level, we could save and saved 800 million euros for Greek taxpayers at decade. And because we have this budget policy, we are sending a message of confidence to markets and investors internationally and so Greece begins to enter the investment map again. We have reduced insurance contributions by 5.4 percentage points and Greece, in terms of insurance contributions, has finally reached the average of the European Union. This is a message of competitiveness for the Greek economy. “

During his speech, Kostis Hatzidakis referred to projects implemented or planned to be implemented in Achaia and Patras.

As he said, “by the end of 2025 the Patras – Pyrgos Motorway, which is also a commitment by the Prime Minister will be completed”, while referring to the work of the railway, he noted that “what is our commitment is that in cooperation with the European Commission and Based on good international practices on the subject of the railway through the urban fabric, we will move forward and I hope that with the consent of all stakeholders this issue will finally close. “

Because, as he pointed out, “Patras, with a modern rail network, will get more dynamically into the commercial and business map.”

He also said that “in the port of Patras there will be two different projects” and added: “First, the cruise terminal, where Patras will become a cruise receptor, will boost tourist traffic and give a new impetus to Achaia. Secondly, Marina Mega Yot is planned and promoted, which will also enhance tourist traffic. “

At the same time, he said that “the university can be done and more and more development of growth, especially if there are even more innovation and business cooperation programs.”

Concerning Araxos Airport, he said that “on the initiative of the government and the Hypothesis, it will be included in the package of 22 small regional airports that will proceed with a concession contract, as was the case with the previous 14 airports, which changed a drag image.”

Concluding his speech, Kostis Hatzidakis emphasized that “it is always useful to stay on a way of seriousness and responsibility on a path of common sense and dialogue.”