Small and medium-sized enterprises represented by the Chambers of Crafts from four different areas – Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Rodopi – sent a letter to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and ministers expressing concern for the survival of thousands of SMEs in manufacturing.

The letter points out that the manufacturing sector is languishing and risks being eliminated altogether unless something is done. Companies’ financial data shows that the liquidity index and investment have dropped to all-time lows.

The only increase since the start of the economic crisis four years ago has been in the number of businesses facing lockage due to excessive taxes, belt-tightening and inadequate access to bank loans.

The heads of the four chambers are asking for the government to take measures that will bring results and are calling for a modern development plan to their sector. They believe that they could contribute to shaping sustainable development for the economy at large if they are helped.