The general assembly of the Central Union of Chambers began with a minute’s silence in memory of those killed in the devastating floods in Thessaly, while the necessity of sending first aid supplies to the affected was highlighted, which will be organized and carried out by each chamber, as a minimal gesture of practical solidarity.

The work of the general assembly, within the framework of the 87th TIF, took place in the Hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Thessaloniki and the president of the Central Union of Chambers of Greece, Ioannis Masoutis, referred to the role of the chambers in this difficult situation.

Afterwards, he reminded that the green development and digitization of businesses, access to financing, finding a solution for the lack of staff, extroversion and strengthening regional development, are steps that must be taken, for the benefit of businesses and have been included in the memorandum which was sent to the prime minister and the leaders of the political parties.

The president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, underlined the obligation to support female entrepreneurship, with actions and programs such as those implemented by the chamber.

In his greeting, the president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vassilis Korkidis, referred to the reforms as the only way to return and maintain the investment level.

The president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Ioannis Hatzitheodosiou, referred to the need to take measures to address small and medium business issues such as punctuality, tax evasion, borrowing costs and the utilization of resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

The president of the Chamber of Achaia, Platon Marlafekas, gave an account of EFEPAE from 2009 until today and its action, through the regional units throughout the territory, vertically and horizontally in all sectors.

This was followed by a presentation by KEEE’s technical advisor, Manolis Baltas, on the subject of business spatial planning and sustainable development, business parks and the role of KEEE in shielding and expanding the economy.

In particular, as mentioned, in the last 15 years, the KEEE has submitted more than 50 memoranda to the government with 120 legal and technically complete proposals for law (advisory report and articles of law) and 65 of them were adopted and voted by the Parliament and are regulations in implementing decisions and 18 laws of the Greek republic.

Afterwards, the president of the Rodopi Chamber, Nikos Angelidis, referred to the work and actions of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as a global business organization and adviser to the UN on entrepreneurship issues.

The president of the General Confederation of Professional Craft Merchants of Greece, Giorgos Cavvathas, pointed out the problems faced by small and medium enterprises, such as the lack of liquidity and overdue obligations, and submitted proposals to resolve them.

At this year’s 87th Thessaloniki International Fair, 382 companies from 48 chambers are exhibiting products and services in the food and beverage, manufacturing, hospitality and leisure and technology industries.