A memorandum from the Hellenic Association of Textile Manufacturers (SEVK) to the Minister of Environment and Energy calls for support for the sector in the face of higher energy costs:
SUBJECT: Inclusion of the Greek textile industry among the industrial sectors eligible for the new €95 million energy cost support package.
Dear Minister,
Following the Government’s recent official announcements on a joint €95 million package of support measures for Greek industry to address higher energy costs, the Hellenic Association of Textile Manufacturers expresses its deep concern and surprise at the omission of our sector from the main sectors eligible for aid.
Based on media reports and the details of the measures under the European frameworks CISAF and METSAF, state support is focused on sectors such as cement, food, paper and plastics. However, the omission of textiles—a notably energy-intensive sector and a longstanding pillar of Greek manufacturing—creates conditions for unfair competition and directly threatens its viability.
For this reason, we wish to draw your attention to the following key facts:
- Extremely high energy dependence: In textile production, energy costs account for more than 40% of the total cost of the finished product. The surge in electricity prices makes it impossible to absorb the additional costs without immediate compensatory measures.
- A pillar of employment: Our sector is one of the largest employers in the Greek regions, consistently employing more than 70,000 people. Any inability to keep factories operating would cause incalculable social and economic damage in vulnerable parts of the country.
- Strong export focus: Even today, despite exceptionally adverse international conditions, the Greek textile industry generates significant exports, earning valuable foreign currency and strengthening the country’s trade balance.
- A long history of contribution: The sector has developed alongside the Greek economy since the founding of the Greek state, making a sustained and uninterrupted contribution to GDP and the domestic productive base.
- The international competition benchmark (Portugal)
Our sector’s exclusion puts us at an immediate disadvantage against our European competitors. Portugal, for example, recognising the strategic importance of its textile industry, is already implementing an EU-approved scheme worth €612 million to cut regulated energy charges for energy-intensive industries by up to 85%, safeguarding their survival and export competitiveness.
When our direct competitors in the EU enjoy protection on this scale, the complete exclusion of the Greek textile industry from the domestic €95 million package is a serious blow to the sector.
Minister,
The ability of Greek textile products to remain competitive in international markets depends directly on our fair access to energy relief measures. As the measure is retroactively linked to the energy transition and to industry’s investment obligation to reduce CO₂ emissions, our sector is ready to meet these conditions in full.
In light of the above, we ask that you:
- Reconsider the eligibility criteria for industrial sectors favourably.
- Immediately include the textile industry among the businesses eligible to receive their proportionate share of the €95 million package.