His strong reaction to the exclusion of key sectors of the economy from the “Support for Productive Investments for Adaptation/Modernization and Recovery” of the Attica Region.
As he notes in his statement, the program—with a total budget of over 141 million euros— lacks critical budget codes related to the restaurant industry, retail, and services, despite the fact that these are sectors which—as he notes—are engaged in a daily “struggle for survival.”
Specifically, according to the relevant press release, he states that: “Once again, we see double standards being applied, to the detriment of small and medium-sized enterprises. And the policy initiated by the government to support larger businesses is now being adopted by the Attica Region as well.
I raised the issue of excluding critical sectors from this specific initiative at a special event organized by the Region on the subject, in the presence of Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias. However, despite my remarks and the proposal I submitted to support additional sectors, specific NACE codes were ultimately selected. And this development raises various questions, such as:
- How are the NACE codes ultimately selected that can be funded by European funds?
- Who are the ones making the final decisions?
- Why were small and medium-sized enterprises from other sectors overlooked?
- Is there a program currently underway that targets businesses in the hospitality, retail, and other key sectors of the Greek economy?
At a time when small and medium-sized enterprises are being severely impacted by the lack of financing tools, some choose to turn a blind eye to the real needs of the market, and through the distinctions they make, they deprive business activities that desperately need them of valuable resources.”