NEWS

The Greek Economic Summit of AmCham Greece, which took place on December 2 and 3 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel with the participation of Ministers and other government officials in Greece and the U.S.A. and numerous businessmen from the global market, was of particular interest again this year. The main theme of the conference was entitled: “A fast-changing world: what’s next?”

In his remarks in the panel of discussion on “Driving Growth: The Power of Greek Industry in Shaping the Economy”, Mr. John Manesis of HELLENIC HALYVOURGIA said, among other things, “Industry in Greece has been the main driver of the country’s growth for almost 50 years and has accounted for up to 35% of the country’s GDP. Without a strong industry, the country cannot progress and prosper as we would like it to. The remaining Greek industry remains healthy, modern and competitive, but it needs a friendly regulatory environment, starting with public authorities and services, efficiency in justice, labour, tax and of course energy costs, so that there is a so-called level playing field.”

Asked about the high energy costs in our country, Mr. Manesis stressed: “There should be a competitive energy cost in Greece, since without this at a global and not only European level, the Industry cannot stand on equal terms. And in Greece we should take the necessary regulatory measures in the domestic market, so that energy-intensive industries are subsidized when prices in the wholesale market exceed a certain amount, as already applied in other European countries”. He concluded his statement by talking about the added value that the industries give to the local communities where they operate, the need to remove suspicion and that the state, residents and workers should really want the industries to exist and grow in their locality.