Statement by the President of the Hellenic Economic Association (HEA), Honorary Doctor of the Panhellenic University of Social and Economic Sciences (PA.PEI.) and the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. Yannis Hatzitheodosiou – regarding the announcements by the Minister of Development
“According to statements made by the Minister of Development, Mr. Theodorikakos, at the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister at the Maximos Mansion and attended by representatives of the industry and supermarkets, there was a consensus on the need to bring prices down, and starting in September we will see a drastic reduction in the prices of basic goods.
We welcome this development, in the hope that the nightmare of high prices will finally end for all the Greek people, but at the same time we have a question. Why must we wait until September to see these drastic reductions? Since there is a national social agreement, as Mr. Theodorikakos described it, what is preventing its immediate implementation?
The pressures exerted in recent years on households and small and medium-sized businesses—even before the war in the Middle East broke out—are enormous. Every day that passes is extremely important for every consumer, as their income is dropping dramatically. There is no time for delays in implementing measures to tackle rising prices, and this must be understood by everyone.
Policies are needed right now that will halt price increases on basic goods and energy, while also offering prospects for sustainability and growth to every small and medium-sized business in the country.”