“The strong productive economy is the best border fence and the best way to deal with the demographic problem,” the Minister of Development noted Takis Theodorikakosin his speech in the plenary of the House in view of the new vote Development law. “The next two years will approve a boost of 1 billion euros with priorities for manufacturing, large investment, border regions and areas of the country with a lower economic footprint than the national average,” he added.

By highlighting the strategic targeting of the new law, he stressed that it contributes to productive and secure Greece in 2030, it functions as a foundation for the country’s productive transformation, but also as a response to the “world trade war”. “Imposing duties will have a serious impact on the economy internationally and the risk of recession is very important. I wouldn’t want to imagine Greece today where it was 10 years ago, ”he said.

In this context, the Minister of Development pointed out that Greece needs to go “from theory to practice” and build its own durable and competitive economy towards international challenges, with policies that respond to regional inequalities at the same time, the need for technological upgrading and retention.

He then presented the basic innovations of the new development law:

1. Fair geographical targeting: The new law prioritizes border areas, prefectures with demographic pressure and areas affected by natural disasters or lacking basic infrastructure.

2. Simplification and transparency: The evaluation of applications will be completed within 90 days, while a rigorous but fair framework for the implementation of investment projects is established.

3. Enhance social entrepreneurship: For the first time, special regimes are introduced for small and social enterprises, even encouraging individual professionals in the region to be active locally.

4. Digital and technological orientation: Special care is provided for the artificial intelligence and digital transition of small and medium -sized enterprises, with the aim of sustainability and participation in the new era.

5. Business Support of all sizes: The law provides for regimes related to both large investments and small and medium -sized enterprises.

6. Widening of funding: The highest amount of aid per investment plan is increased to 20 million euros while funding tools are used through the Hellenic Development Bank and the EIB, with the aim of mobilizing a total of more than € 1 billion.

Mr Theodorikakos emphasized that the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has activated the largest development program of the last decades with resources of over 60 billion euros, achieving steady growth rates, a significant decrease in unemployment (from 18% to 9%) and enhancing the extroversion.

At the same time, the Minister of Development said that the trade deficit remains, as a percentage of GDP, at the level of the country’s accession to the eurozone, stressing that Greek exports are to reach 60% of GDP, from 42% today. As he said, “the great challenge for the Greek economy is a challenge of productivity, extroversion and innovation. We want large businesses that can stand in international competition, which does not mean that we do not support small and medium -sized enterprises. “

Responding to the opposition’s allegations that “in Greece it is not produced or a screw”, Mr Theodorikakos opposed the strong presence of the modern Greek pharmaceutical industry, the aluminum industry that creates an annual surplus of one billion euros for the country, the revival of shipbuilding and shipbuilding, Greek Food Industry.

In closing his speech, the Minister of Development noted: “There is no greater security for the homeland than a strong, truly competitive economy. It is our response to inequalities, demographics, the challenges of the new era. And we will fight this battle with society. “