With the key message: “A Productive Greece in a Changing Europe” #SEV4Productivity, the Annual Ordinary General Assembly of SEV members was held today, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Athens Concert Hall.
At this year’s General Assembly, the Association’s members elected Mr. Spyros Theodoropoulos as Chairman of the Board of Directors, while the other members of the new Board of Directors who were elected are:
Vice Presidents: Rania Aikaterinari, Andreas Siamisis, Vasileios Psaltis
Secretary General: Alexandra Papalexopoulou
Treasurer: Markos Veremis
Members:
- Olga Vagena
- Kallinikos Kallinikos
- Naya Kalogeraki
- Ioannis Karagiannis
- Nikolaos Kaukas
- Alexander Kikizas
- Achilles Konstantakopoulos
- Nikolaos Loulis
- Filippa Michali
- Aristotelis Panteliadis
- Kyriakos Sabatakakis
- Menelaos Tasopoulos
- Theodoros Tryfon
- Evangelos Chrysafis
At today’s General Assembly, a new General Council was also elected, representing the full spectrum of businesses and the most dynamic sectors of the Greek economy.
In his customary address to SEV members, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Spyros Theodoropoulos, stated, among other things:
- “Despite the steps taken in recent years, energy costs in Greece remain significantly higher than those in competitive countries in the region. Today, there is greater scope for government intervention, and we must take full advantage of it.”
- “Further reducing non-wage costs, enhancing labor market flexibility, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements that take into account the productivity and competitiveness of businesses remain our key priorities.”
- “A major battle was fought over spatial planning to ensure sufficient space for the industry of the future. The country needs clear rules, legal certainty, and opportunities for growth in productive investments.”
- “We need a more effective framework for flagship and strategic investments, with clear criteria, faster procedures, and sufficient resources to substantially support the productive transformation of the economy.”
- “Accelerated depreciation can be one of the most effective tools for boosting investment, because it allows companies to implement their investment plans quickly, without unnecessary red tape.”
- “The defense industry is creating significant new opportunities for Greek manufacturing. SEV will continue to support any initiative that strengthens the participation of Greek companies in new European value chains.”
- “Artificial intelligence is perhaps the greatest challenge—but also the greatest opportunity—for businesses. Despite the progress that has been made, the majority of Greek companies still believe that it does not yet concern them. This must change.”
- “Increasing the size of businesses is a prerequisite for higher productivity, better wages, and stronger competitiveness. The country needs more partnerships, mergers, and incentives for consolidation.”
- “Europe is facing critical decisions regarding its new multiannual budget. Greece must prepare in a timely manner and actively contribute to shaping policies that will support competitiveness, investment, and growth.”
- “Productivity is the Greek economy’s most important challenge. It is the prerequisite for more investment, higher wages, and real convergence with Europe.”
Ms. Rania Aikaterinari, Chair of the SEV Executive Committee and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, emphasized SEV’s role as a social partner, its actions to support businesses and industry, and the strengthening of the Association’s European presence at a time when important decisions regarding the competitiveness of European businesses are imminent.
Special mention was made of the signing of the National Social Agreement to strengthen collective bargaining agreements, which creates a more modern and functional framework for social dialogue, with more effective mechanisms for resolving collective disputes.
Referring to industry, she emphasized that its strengthening remains a strategic priority for the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), with measures aimed at reducing energy costs, strengthening investment incentives, simplifying the business environment, and establishing the new Spatial Framework for Industry and Logistics with legal certainty.
He also referred to the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises’ (SEV) initiatives for skills development, focusing on the new SEV Technical Academy, the “TOGETHER IN KNOWLEDGE” educational programs, and the GenAI Bootcamps digital workshops for executives of its member companies. He also mentioned the Association’s initiatives regarding research, innovation, and the defense industry, in light of the major changes taking place at the European level.
Particular emphasis was placed on SEV’s steadily growing presence in Europe, primarily through BusinessEurope, as well as the MED9 initiative—a collaboration among European Mediterranean countries aimed at formulating common positions on the next EU budget.
Finally, he presented SEV’s initiatives to promote artificial intelligence and digital transformation, support startups and growing businesses, and strengthen the international orientation of Greek companies.
In closing, he emphasized the importance of increasing productivity in Greece, “because productivity is not just another economic indicator, but the foundation upon which investment, competitiveness, better wages, and ultimately the country’s sustainable development are built.”
Mr. Vasileios Fourlis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FOYRLIS S.A. HOLDINGS, was elected Chairman of this year’s SEV General Assembly. In his opening remarks, he stated, among other things: “We are meeting at a time when the global economy and the business environment are in a state of constant transition.
Geopolitical tensions, shifts in value chains, the acceleration of technological progress, and the need for sustainable development are creating a landscape marked by increased uncertainty, but also significant opportunities.
In this environment, the role of organized business is more critical than ever. The Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) is called upon to act not only as a representative of businesses but also as an institutional partner of the government and society, contributing to the formulation of policies that strengthen the country’s competitiveness, innovation, and long-term growth. This responsibility is a collective one and requires seriousness, sound reasoning, and a spirit of compromise.”
Mr. Andreas Siamis, CEO of HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings S.A. and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), noted: “After many years, we once again find ourselves facing the risk of fuel shortages due to geopolitical developments. The existence of modern and flexible industrial facilities has given our country a competitive advantage in terms of sufficiency, as well as in pre-tax prices, highlighting in the most striking way the value of maintaining and expanding industrial infrastructure in our country and more broadly across Europe.
Consumers worldwide have had to contend with rising energy costs, in addition to the significant costs of the energy transition, which Europe had underestimated. In the electricity sector, major investments in renewable energy sources have reduced dependence and crisis-related costs, but the stability of the system still requires a significant share of natural gas. Support for consumers and the market was important, but not enough to cover the increased costs. Greater effort is needed in terms of support, regulatory stability, and recognition of the true costs of the transition through targeted incentives.”
Next, Ms. Alexandra Papalexopoulou, Executive Member of the Board of Directors of TITAN S.A. and General Secretary of the Board of Directors of SEV, emphasized: “European leaders have now clearly recognized that strengthening competitiveness is a central priority for the future of the European economy and are moving in the right direction with a series of important initiatives. Greater flexibility in state aid rules, investments in energy networks, simplifications to the regulatory framework, and new industrial policy initiatives, such as the Industrial Accelerator Act, are essential steps toward supporting Europe’s production, investment, and industrial base.
At the same time, efforts to reduce bureaucracy through the Omnibus legislation and the acceleration of free trade agreements signal a more pragmatic approach that combines the green transition with economic growth. For Greece, these developments create significant opportunities for industry, exports, and attracting investment. The challenge now is not only to formulate the right policies, but also to implement them swiftly and effectively, so that Europe and Greece can strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive international environment.”
Mr. Vasilis Psaltis, CEO of Alpha Bank Group and member of the SEV Board of Directors, noted: “Through the two Recovery Fund programs, and with the support of banks that provided 8.8 billion euros in loans, investment plans worth 27.5 billion euros were implemented, placing Greece among the top countries in Europe in terms of absorption of funds.
This is a significant achievement, and at the same time sets the bar for the next step. The key structural issue, however, remains productivity: we work the longest hours in the EU, 39.6 compared to the European average of 35.7, but output per worker is only 55% of that average. The solution requires three measures: a. directing funding toward investments that increase productivity and competitiveness, b. stronger incentives for technological modernization and the expansion of Greek businesses, c. leveraging savings—including through the operation of occupational pension funds—to provide investment support for the Greek economy. Greece now has something it lacked for many years: credibility. This is a valuable and fragile asset. It is not enough simply to preserve it. We must transform it into growth. This is not mere optimism. It is our job.”
Mr. Eftychis Vasilakis, Chairman of Aegean, CEO of Autohellas, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and head of the Labor Relations Committee of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), addressed the challenges currently facing the labor market. In particular, he noted that, despite the significant improvement in employment indicators, structural problems remain, such as the worsening demographic aging of the population, as well as low employment rates among a significant portion of the population, such as young people and women.
Mr. Vasilakis highlighted the Association’s key initiatives aimed at improving the working environment, such as reducing the burden on businesses from non-wage costs (contributions), while increasing workers’ disposable income; reforming the collective bargaining framework; improving the functioning of the OMED, as well as enhancing transparency and the level of representativeness of the social partners.
He also highlighted as a positive development the trend of talent returning to the country in recent years, which is linked to the increased range of opportunities available to executives in the country, as well as with the targeted incentives that have already been established—though these need to be combined with a further reduction in taxation on mid-level executives.
“A long-standing goal for the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV),” he concluded, “is a labor market capable of supporting the productivity—and thus the competitiveness—of Greek businesses, as well as the standard of living of society. In this context, business growth and international expansion, technological upgrading, and the promotion of innovation are considered essential components.”
Mr. Aristotelis Panteliadis, Chairman and CEO of METRO S.A. and member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), emphasized: “Competition functions effectively in the Greek market, despite its small size and unique geography. However, constant regulatory interventions hinder the smooth functioning of competition and add administrative costs that burden businesses and consumers.
The Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) proposes that the cap on gross profit margins not be extended beyond June 30, as stipulated by law, and that the remaining extraordinary restrictions on the commercial policies of food production and distribution companies be lifted. “The role of the State is to establish a clear, stable, and simple legislative framework within which the market will operate, and to oversee its full implementation.”
Mr. Markos Veremis, Partner at Big Pi Ventures and Treasurer of the SEV Board of Directors, noted: “From the start of our term, we set a goal to narrow the productivity gap between Greece and Europe by rapidly adopting technology and artificial intelligence.
In the Technology Committee, we have already brought together over 100 technology companies and have become their natural home. Through ALBA, we’ve created training sessions for our executives. We hosted one of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises’ (SEV) largest conferences on artificial intelligence and helped improve incentives for R&D. “Over the next two years, we want to further strengthen the adoption of technology, with the goal of substantially reducing the productivity gap.”
A welcome address was also delivered by the President of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB), Mr. George Pantelides, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between OEB and SEV, emphasizing that Greece and Cyprus can transform their historical and business ties into joint strategic initiatives for outward expansion and development.
At the same time, he stressed the need to strengthen European competitiveness by reducing bureaucracy, facilitating access to financing, and supporting businesses that create added value and quality jobs.