ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ ΜΠΡΑΤΑΚΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΔΕΘ
- 30 Apr 2023
- economy
A message of optimism that the Greek economy will cope with the difficulties it has to face due to the energy crisis and inflation, since, as he said, "it has built stronger dykes against external pressures", the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Yannis Bratakos, sent in his speech at the dinner of the Industrial Chamber of Thessaloniki for the celebration of the new year.
According to a related announcement, the deputy minister made reference to the government's interventions to ease households and businesses, both during the pandemic and to deal with the energy crisis, but also to the tax reductions made in previous years or planned for next time.
As he emphasized, it is "the government's obligation to support society and the market in difficult times. We do and we will continue. But every euro that we direct to extraordinary benefits, to tax reliefs, to income support, is measured and calculated. We are not deviating from our goal of a primary surplus in 2023. We are not risking the national goal of obtaining investment grade" said Mr. Bratakos, emphasizing that "we have secured and are utilizing the largest financing package in the country's post-war history: with total credits of more than 30 billion euros from the Recovery Fund, with the new NSRF, amounting to 26.5 billion euros, with the new Common Agricultural Policy, with the "Connecting Europe" initiative for transport, energy and digital services. Of these resources, more than 8 billion euros are directed to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Referring to the performance of the Greek economy, Mr. Bratakos underlined that "in 2021 we achieved the third highest growth rate in the Eurozone, almost covering the losses of the pandemic. In 2022 the growth rate will be twice the European average. And in 2023 – despite the slowdown – Greece will be doing better compared to most European countries. Last year, we had a record increase in investment and exports. Greece has won the trust of global giants, such as Amazon, Microsoft and Pfizer. Thessaloniki, in particular, has become a hub for attracting investments, which create jobs and new opportunities and prospects for local businesses."
Mr. Bratakos made a special mention of the year we are passing by saying that "this year we will be asked to decide whether we will continue to move forward, or whether we will turn back - to a past that we would all like to forget. We will decide whether the country will remain on a path of development based on the private initiative and creativity of the Greeks. Whether we will remain on the path of seriousness and perspective or whether we will return to frivolity and adventurism."
