The new survey by the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (ΒΕΑ), which was conducted in collaboration with KPMG and presented in the context of the chamber’s annual press meeting, records the real picture experienced today by the country’s small and very small businesses.
A total of 382 businesses from nine key sectors of the Greek economy participated in the survey, providing valuable data on their challenges, needs, and expectations from the State and the chamber.
The results depict a market that continues to operate under conditions of intense pressure, despite the improvement in key economic indicators. Increased operating costs, the tax burden, bureaucracy, difficulty accessing financing, and the lack of suitable human resources create an environment that limits the competitiveness and growth potential of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The survey highlights increased operating costs as the top challenge. 65% of businesses state that the increase in prices of raw materials is the most significant burdening factor, while 51% cite energy costs as a main source of pressure.
At the same time:
69% report a significant increase in raw material costs over the past two years.
65% believe that energy costs decisively affect the viability of their business.
54% state that they have been forced to limit production or the operation of their business due to the energy burden.
71% report that they are unable to pass on cost increases to the final consumer, a fact that leads to a continuous squeeze on profit margins.
These figures confirm that high prices and inflationary pressures continue to be the most significant factor of concern for small and medium-sized entrepreneurship. The problem of bureaucracy and administrative burdens also appears particularly intense.
74% of businesses state that bureaucracy significantly or very significantly affects their daily operation.
In addition:
The members of the ΒΕΑ highlight as main sources of burden the obligations linked to the myDATA, ERGANI systems and the other digital compliance procedures, while they call for simplification of licensing procedures and a reduction in administrative costs.
Significant obstacles are also recorded in access to financing.
77% of businesses consider access to financing tools and bank lending difficult.
At the same time:
62% sought bank financing over the past two years.
Of these, 27% saw their request rejected.
The main reasons cited are high interest rates, strict lending criteria, and time-consuming approval procedures.
Businesses are calling for easier access to bank financing, better information about support programs and subsidies, as well as the creation of financing tools tailored to the needs of small businesses.
Another critical finding of the survey concerns human resources.
74% of businesses state that they face a shortage of suitable staff.
In addition:
62% report that the staff shortage affects the productive capacity and growth of the business.
79% have been forced to limit activities due to the difficulty of finding employees.
For 51%, the problem is linked to the low availability of staff.
For 30%, to the 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 that will strengthen the attraction of young people to technical professions.
The survey also records businesses’ expectations from the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen.
Members are asking for:
Stronger representation vis-à-vis the State.
More active interventions on issues of taxation, insurance contributions, and the regulatory framework.
A greater presence of the chamber in public dialogue.
Advisory support on issues of 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 actions for extroversion, international networking, and business partnerships.
Better and more frequent information about the chamber’s services and initiatives.
In his statement, the president of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen, Konstantinos Damigos, stressed:
“This survey constitutes a clear and indisputable depiction of the reality experienced today by small and medium-sized enterprises.
The increased operating cost, the tax burden, bureaucracy, difficulty in accessing financing, and the lack of specialized staff constitute the biggest obstacles to the viability and growth of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship.
The survey data send a clear message to all competent bodies. 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 asking for less bureaucracy, fairer taxation, easier access to financing, more effective support in addressing staff shortages, and a stable business environment”.