A new survey by the Athens Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Industries (BEA), conducted in collaboration with KPMG and presented at the chamber’s annual press conference, captures the reality currently faced by small and micro-enterprises in the country.
A total of 382 businesses from nine key sectors of the Greek economy participated in the survey, providing valuable insights into their challenges, needs, and expectations regarding the government and the chamber.
The results reflect a market that continues to operate under intense pressure, despite improvements in key economic indicators. Rising operating costs, the tax burden, bureaucracy, difficulty accessing financing, and a shortage of qualified personnel combine to create an environment that limits the competitiveness and growth potential of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The survey identifies rising operating costs as the top challenge. Sixty-five percent of businesses state that rising raw material prices are the most significant cost driver, while 51% cite energy costs as a major source of pressure.
At the same time:
69% have seen a significant increase in raw material costs over the past two years.
65% believe that energy costs have a decisive impact on the sustainability of their business.
54% state that they have been forced to scale back production or operations due to the energy burden.
71% report that they are unable to pass on cost increases to the end consumer, a fact that leads to continuous pressure on profit margins.
These figures confirm that high prices and inflationary pressures remain the most significant cause for concern among small and medium-sized enterprises. The problem of bureaucracy and administrative burdens is also particularly acute.
Seventy-four percent of businesses report that bureaucracy significantly or very significantly affects their day-to-day operations.
Furthermore:
BEA members identify obligations related to the myDATA and ERGANI systems and other digital compliance procedures as major sources of burden, while calling for the simplification of licensing procedures and a reduction in administrative costs.
Significant barriers to accessing financing have also been identified.
Seventy-seven percent of businesses find it difficult to access financing tools and bank loans.
At the same time:
62% have sought bank financing in the past two years.
Of these, 27% had their applications rejected.
The main reasons cited are high interest rates, strict credit criteria, and time-consuming approval processes.
Businesses are calling for easier access to bank financing, better information on support programs and subsidies, and the creation of financing tools tailored to the needs of small businesses.
Another key finding of the survey concerns human resources.
74% of businesses report facing a shortage of qualified staff.
Furthermore:
62% report that the staff shortage affects their production capacity and business growth.
79% have been forced to scale back operations due to difficulty in finding employees.
For 51%, the problem is linked to low staff availability.
For 30%, it is linked to a lack of specialized skills.
The findings highlight the need for a stronger link between education and the labor market, training and retraining programs, as well as initiatives to attract young people to technical professions.
The survey also documents the expectations of businesses as reported by the Athens Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Industries.
Members are calling for:
Stronger representation in dealings with the government.
More active engagement on issues related to taxation, social security contributions, and the regulatory framework.
A greater presence of the chamber in public discourse.
Advisory support on issues related to taxation, labor relations, licensing, and regulatory compliance.
More targeted information on financing tools and investment programs.
Modern training programs with an emphasis on digital skills and artificial intelligence.
More outreach activities, international networking, and business partnerships.
Better and more frequent updates on the chamber’s services and initiatives.
In a statement, Konstantinos Damigos, president of the Athens Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Industries, emphasized:
“This survey provides a clear and indisputable snapshot of the reality currently faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Rising operating costs, the tax burden, bureaucracy, difficulty accessing financing, and a shortage of skilled personnel constitute the greatest obstacles to the sustainability and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The survey findings send a clear message to all relevant authorities. Businesses are not asking for preferential treatment. They are asking for conditions that will allow them to operate, invest, create new jobs, and remain competitive.
They are calling for less bureaucracy, fairer taxation, easier access to financing, more effective support in addressing labor shortages, and a stable business environment.”