With the central message “Greece that can produce more and better,” the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) sent Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and party leaders an extensive 13-page memorandum with positions and proposals for the Greek economy, ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair. The document is signed by Chamber President Yannis Bratakos, and reflects both the progress of recent years and the major pending issues that remain for the country’s productive transformation.
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Yannis Bratakos: Greece’s transition to a new production model is urgent
Speaking to “MP,” Mr. Bratakos emphasizes: “Greece’s transition to a new production model that will allow it to produce more and better is an urgent necessity. The formation of a new development pattern—sustainable, outward-looking and resilient—is a necessary condition for the country’s progress. Industrial production, qualitative upgrading of the tourism sector, development of livestock and smart agriculture, as well as harnessing innovation and new technologies compose the framework for a competitive economy, with more and better-paid jobs and substantial prospects for progress“.
According to AACCI, the Greek economy has made significant steps forward over the past six years. Unemployment was reduced from 17.4% in 2019 to 7.9% in 2025, a performance that brings Greece closer to the European average. The minimum wage increased by 35%, household and business deposits were strengthened, while even the absolute poverty index shows a declining trend. It characterizes this picture as positive, considering that the country recently emerged from a multi-year debt crisis and recession, while suffering a strong blow from the pandemic. As the memorandum notes, steady growth and strong fiscal performance have boosted market confidence, which is also reflected in the performance of Greek bonds.
However, behind the numbers lie weaknesses. Per capita consumption in Greece corresponds to only 81% of the EU average, while the net investment position remains negative and significantly lower than European standards. At the same time, the chronic current account deficit shows that the economy struggles to build a stable productive base and strengthen exports of high value-added products and services. Yannis Bratakos emphasizes that the current period, despite international uncertainty, acts as a catalyst for a strategic transition. “Greece that can produce more and better is the national goal of the next decade,” he notes characteristically. AACCI proposes a more resilient, outward-looking and competitive development model that will harness the potential of industrial production, innovation, qualitative tourism upgrading, as well as smart agricultural production and livestock.
The connection of education with the labor market, attracting strategic investments, green and digital transition, and restructuring the state into a strategic development partner are considered basic prerequisites. The memorandum presents a structured intervention framework organized in 11 basic axes:
- Productive transformation: Shift from consumption to high value-added production, emphasizing industry, processing, agri-food and exports.
- SME financing: Upgrading the Development Bank, microfinancing and Low Collateral Fund for very small businesses.
- Digital transition: Creating a Digital Business Map, targeted support tools and strengthening startup entrepreneurship.
- Human capital investment: “Skills Agenda 2030,” upgrading vocational education, brain gain and demographic policy.
- Labor framework: Legislative adaptation, strengthening flexible forms and national policy to cover labor shortages.
- Public Administration: Quality Index, service automation, institutional cooperation with Chambers.
- Administrative cost reduction: Digital interconnection, elimination of unnecessary documents, unified business file (business ID).
- Energy: Strengthening tools for energy upgrading, clean energy from businesses.
- Fiscal stability: Cost control and focus on strategic investments.
- Tax and insurance framework: Five-year stability, reduction of employer contributions, new 120-installment arrangement and incentives for compliant businesses.
- Horizontal strategies: Strengthening geopolitical position, resilience to climate crisis, regional and social cohesion.
Interventions for Attica
The memorandum includes specific interventions for Attica, the region that concentrates the largest share of economic activity. AACCI proposes creating a coordinating body to combat illegal trade, implementing a five-year traffic plan with strengthening of Mass Transit and “smart” management systems, as well as developing freight movement zones. In tourism, it suggests thematic routes, infrastructure enhancement and establishing a Regional Tourism Development Council. The international situation—with geopolitical tensions, monetary policy uncertainty, trade protectionism and climate crisis—makes adopting a new paradigm necessary. However, as the Chamber emphasizes, the same conditions open windows of opportunity for green and digital transition and global value chain restructuring. It notes that European resources offer Greece the foundation to build a more resilient and outward-looking economy. AACCI calls on the State to move quickly and methodically.
Mr. Bratakos adds: “The national goal of the next decade is a Greece that produces more and better, ensuring prosperity for all“.
Published in the Money pro supplement of Parapolitika
