Athens Chamber of Commerce President calls for SME support

Giannis Chatzitheodosiou, President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has called for urgent support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greece. During a meeting with Rena Dourou, President of the SYRIZA-PS Parliamentary Group, Chatzitheodosiou highlighted the precarious position of small businesses due to the energy crisis, rising costs of raw materials, and fuel.

He emphasized that the lack of consumer purchasing power directly threatens the sustainability of small businesses. Chatzitheodosiou also raised concerns regarding market concentration, noting that five to six large groups control approximately 85% of the market, which negatively impacts local shops.

To address these challenges, the Chamber President requested interventions in the energy market, reductions in indirect taxes, and better access to financing. He further argued that debt settlement programs, such as the 120-installment plan, require the removal of excessive surcharges and penalties, alongside lower interest rates, to be truly effective for struggling entrepreneurs.