Greek officials announce €49.5 billion in ESPA funding for 2028

At the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, Greek officials and business leaders discussed economic support and funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, announced that €49.5 billion has already been secured for the new ESPA program starting in 2028, with negotiations expected to conclude during the Greek presidency in the second half of 2027.

Stavros Kafounis, President of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), emphasized the need for a cohesive economic policy focused on reducing operating costs, cutting bureaucracy, and lowering tax and social security burdens to enhance competitiveness. Discussions also addressed the labor market, the connection between tourism and commerce, and the role of infrastructure in commercial development.

During a session with Labor Minister Niki Keramei, it was noted that unemployment has dropped below 8% for the first time in 18 years, and non-wage labor costs have decreased by 5.5 percentage points in recent years. However, Kafounis stressed that reducing these costs remains a critical priority for business competitiveness.