“In determining the island transport equivalent, we are in the process of rationalization, both by sectoral and spatial specialization. Today a programmatic contract was signed between the General Secretariat of the Aegean – Island Policy and the Centre for Planning and Economic Research for the integrated implementation of the Island Business Barometer and the Island Price Observatory on an annual basis,” said the Deputy Minister of State for Maritime Affairs and Island Policy Stefanos Gikas in response to a topical question by PASOK MP Georgios Nikitiadis on “Double-digit increases in truck fares”.

In this regard, the Deputy Minister reiterated that “there will be no increase in the summer period of the ferry tickets for passengers and their private cars”.

Regarding the payments of the transport equivalent, Gikas said that as “we have announced, in the next few days, what concerns passengers will be paid and will concern a large number of months relating to 2024, while to companies will be paid what concerns the second half of 2022 as the required controls have been completed.”

On the subsidies of the barren lines, the Deputy Minister pointed out that “in 2019 the subsidies of the barren lines amounted to only 90 million euros, today this amount is 152 million euros and the forecast for the next tender these subsidies to rise to 168 million euros, showing in this way that we respect the islanders and that we invest in insularity.” He pointed out that an international tender is being held for the subsidies for the barren lines and everything is controlled by the Court of Auditors.

Regarding the signing of the programmatic agreement between the DG Aegean – Island Policy and the Centre for Planning and Economic Research for the integrated implementation of the Barometer of Island Entrepreneurship and the Price Observatory in the island area on an annual basis, the Deputy Minister said: “With this study, we will be able to get a much better picture with the aim of determining the level and change in prices of key categories of goods that certainly affect the cost of operation of island businesses. This is a tool that will help island entrepreneurship and our islands, together with the agreements with the Hellenic Development Bank and the rationalisation of the island transport equivalence.”