2 out of 3 euros that come from European resources go to the country’s small and medium enterprises, said the deputy minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasisin a speech at conference “European Entrepreneurship Conference” by the Economist.

According to the deputy minister, based the details of GEMI there is a positive balance in creation small and medium enterprises in the country. He pointed out that from the 82 billion euros from European resources, 26 billion euros of the NSRF concern only small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as 19 billion euros of the Common Agricultural Policy. Meanwhile, significant funds also come from the Recovery Fund.

Asked about her subject accuracy, Mr. Papathanasis said that no European country can cope with 100% accuracy. And he added that in Greece the two main tools are the increase in disposable income and controls by imposing fines.

In the same panel, EBRD deputy director for economics, strategy and policy Peter Stanfey, said that the general picture for Greece is positive and there is confidence in the economy, both internally and from investors. He also predicted that there will be growth of 2.3% this year and 2.6% in 2025.

He said access to bank lending is improving, but costs are still high due to interest rates, and said more competition in the banking sector would be beneficial in reducing borrowing costs. At the same time, he stated that small and medium-sized enterprises should also benefit from specialized advice, especially if they need to expand into exports. Finally, he spoke of the need to restructure small and medium-sized businesses, as the Greek market is fragmented.

THE MP of SYRIZA- PS Nikos Pappas, called it false that the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises enjoy 45 billion euros from European funds. He said that a small and medium-sized business is one that employs up to 250 people, but in Greece 90%-93% of businesses are very small that employ up to 10 people.

He characterized what follows with the as an investment mistake Recovery Fund, since as he mentioned, only 7 small and medium enterprises managed to borrow from it and indeed for very large investment projects, with an average of 2-3 billion euros per project. And he made special reference to the study of the Athens Chamber of Commerce on the need to create a microcredit fund.

THE MP of PASOK-KINAL Manolis Christodoulakis, stated that 67% of Greek businesses (approximately 635,000 businesses) are sole proprietorships, a fact that must be addressed. He spoke of a serious lack of a serious mechanism for synergies, mergers, etc. which will bring better access to finance.

He also talked about two deficits in the Recovery Fund, the absence of a vision for investments in health, green growth, etc. and that it is overwhelmingly aimed at very large businesses. And he added that there is a general and serious deficit with the bureaucracy, the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to financing and opacity. Finally, he asked the banks to change the criteria for aid to small and medium enterprises.