Piraeus Chamber energy cost advocacy

The Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEP) has been advocating for government intervention to mitigate the impact of high energy and fuel prices on the Greek business sector.

Initially, the Chamber proposed a five-point ‘energy shield’ specifically designed for small and very small enterprises (SMEs). This proposal included scaled electricity subsidies, support for energy-intensive small businesses, interventions in transport costs, a simplified subsidy program, and assistance for small energy investments. The Chamber argued that protecting SMEs is essential to preventing inflation from spreading through the supply chain.

Following these proposals, the Chamber expanded its focus to call for an immediate shield to protect energy-intensive industries from the ongoing energy crisis. President Vasilis Korkidis warned that without a comprehensive package of government measures to stabilize electricity, oil, and natural gas prices, rising operational costs would likely be passed on to final consumer prices. The Chamber also noted that while the industrial sector is trending upward, performance is being hindered by energy volatility.