The president of PASOK-Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, spoke at the presentation event of GSEVEE’s annual report on “Competitiveness and small businesses” this Wednesday at noon.

Mr. Androulakis pointed out, among other things, thatthe difference in interest rates on deposits and loans from Greek banks is twice the average in the Eurozone, with the consequence that small and medium enterprises do not have access to bank loans.

“The results of today’s policy on the Recovery Fund are deafening: to date only 287 companies have received 4.8 billion euros on very favorable terms from the Recovery Fund. This, therefore, undermines the backbone of the Greek economy, which is the small and medium-sized enterprises”, emphasized Mr. Androulakis, adding that reform means the modernization of the state and the competitiveness of the economy and not settlements of powerful economic interests.

He added that there are oligopolies in energy, banking, food trading, health.

Referring to taxes, the president of PASOK-Movement for Change emphasized that “it is not just a motto, but it is a necessity to have a fair tax system. It is a key element of sound economics to break the current correlation of indirect and direct taxes. We can set measurable two-year, four-year goals, so that when, for example, the goals for There should be a social consensus for VAT or the social security tax, to be steadily reduced.”

Mr. Androulakis presented a set of proposals for small and medium enterprises, which includes:

  • Special financing lines from the Recovery Fund only for small and medium enterprises, as was done in Portugal, with an emphasis on investments in innovation, energy adaptation, digital transformation.
  • Focus of the Development Bank on the financing of investments of small and medium enterprises. Funding from the NSRF for the relocation of small and medium enterprises to industrial parks.
  • Three-year exemption from the tax on realized profits as an incentive for the creation of new business models and the development of value chains.
  • Pressure on banks to reduce their electronic transaction fees, charges, costs in e-banking to reduce costs for SMEs.
  • For the accumulated debts to tax and insurance funds, real arrangements in 120 installments, with a 30% “haircut” for those who are consistent. Implementation of the European directive to create an early warning mechanism for possible insolvency and highlight the need for an immediate reaction through the chambers. These are policies that distinguish the strategic defaulter from the one who struggles but can’t stand it.
  • A second chance at dignity, with protection of the first home for those who are demonstrably unable to repay their debts.
  • Incentives for new full-time staff hires, with a subsidy for four years of employer social security contributions.
  • Establishment of an unrestricted account for businesses to be able to respond to short-term liquidity problems.
  • Abolish the pretense fee.
  • Incentives for a truly fair and green transition.