|
|
Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-12-11
CONTENTS
[01] Those who fear the new will not keep Greece in the past
[01] Those who fear the new will not keep Greece in the past
AMNA--The government will hold dialogue with all the interested sides,
but will not allow those who fear the new, frequently without reason, to
keep Greece in the past, Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure,
Transport and Networks minister Costis Hatzidakis said on Tuesday,
commenting on negative reactions from the business community over the
ministry's intention to allow shops to open on Sundays.
According to the ministry proposal, shops with an area of up to 250 square
meters, except those belonging to chains, will have the option of opening
on all Sundays in the year, while large stores (over 250 sq.m.) will be
able to work up to seven Sundays a year, again optionally.amna
"We aspire to making the market more contemporary, more European, more
consumer-friendly. A big change is being made based on the European
experience. We are giving the ability to large enterprises to work more,
and to the smaller businesses to work even more. We are giving the
consumers -- Greeks and tourists -- the ability to freely make their
purchases," Hatzidakis told the 12th International Venture Capital &
Private Equity Forum taking place in Athens.
Hatzidakis also announced that the disbursement of loans to small and
medium size enterprises (SMEs) with funding from the European Investment
Bank (EIB) are beginning immediately, adding that agreements between
the EIB have already been signed while more are due to be signed within
the week.amna
Together with the unblocking of the EIB funds, the measures for boosting
liquidity also include the simplification of the NSRF (National Strategic
Reference Framework) procedures, the unblocking of the National Fund for
Business and Development (ETEAN) capital, implementation of the actions
to boost exports, and the new development law which will be tabled soon
in parliament, he continued.amna
Hatzidakis further said that the procedures for setting up three venture
capital funds were completed about three weeks ago, while completion of a
fourth, in the context of the EU's JEREMIE initiative is expected. Through
these venture capital funds, financing will be provided to businesses
in the fields of information technology and communication from the NSRF
funds, despite the negative economic situation, he added, noting that
more than 20 private investors are participating in the above funds with
capital that was expected to reach 21 million euro.
|