A memorandum outlining the key positions and proposals of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) for the reconstruction and productive transformation of the Greek economy was delivered today by EBEA President Giannis Bratakos to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tassoulas.

The memorandum highlights the urgent need to shape a resilient, outward-looking, and dynamic growth model “to bring the country closer to the economically stronger European economies, and to strengthen its geopolitical position in an ever-changing global environment.”

Challenges and Strategic Goals

Despite Greece’s economic recovery in recent years, the Chamber identifies several problems in the current development model, including:

• Overreliance on consumption and tourism
• Small size and low capital adequacy of Greek enterprises
• Limited access to bank financing for SMEs
• Low added value in domestic production
• Shortage of digital skills and limited innovation investments
• Administrative distortions and bureaucratic obstacles to investment and entrepreneurship

To address these issues, EBEA proposes the establishment of a new, more resilient and competitive growth model that incorporates innovation and new technologies, aiming to create quality jobs. This effort, according to the Chamber, should be based on five strategic pillars:

1. Enhancing productivity and extroversion
2. Promoting green and digital transition
3. Mobilizing investments in strategic sectors
4. Aligning education more closely with labor market needs
5. Restructuring the state to act as a key partner in development

Policy Proposals for the New Model

The memorandum details policy proposals across critical areas. To strengthen competitiveness and extroversion, EBEA suggests:

• Tax incentives for SME mergers
• Improved access to financing
• Export promotion programs focusing on high-tech products
• A National Industrial Energy Plan, with incentives for renewable energy adoption in industrial zones

For innovation and human capital development, EBEA proposes:

• Enhanced R&D spending incentives
• Support for startups through a comprehensive ecosystem
• Upgrading public vocational training institutes (IEKs)
• Creating sector-specific Skills Academies

In terms of green and digital production transition, proposals include:

• Upgrading infrastructure for digital and energy networks
• Supporting SMEs in energy transformation
• Leveraging new European funding mechanisms

On improving public administration and the justice system, the Chamber emphasizes:

• Promotion of e-justice
• Completion of a fully digital state
• Strengthening transparency

Lastly, for spatial and sectoral realignment of production, the Chamber proposes:

• Development of next-generation industrial parks
• Investments in logistics infrastructure
• Specialized sectoral business plans
• Investment in the primary sector
• Acceleration of spatial and urban planning reforms

Bratakos Statement

EBEA President Giannis Bratakos stated:
“The coming decade must act as a catalyst for Greece’s strategic transition to a new, sustainable, and competitive production model. Our goal is strong, resilient, inclusive, and fair growth that matches Greece’s potential and the ambitions of its businesses and people. We call on the state to implement a coherent framework of interventions, based on real data, and with a clear focus on strengthening the country’s domestic production base, because we firmly believe that Greece can produce more and better.”