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BSE: The development challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurship and processing in Thrace

With a series of contacts with dynamic companies, the Democritus University of Thrace, and the institutional actors of the region, and with the aim of strengthening entrepreneurship and regional development, the visit of the BSE administration and executives to Alexandroupolis, Komotini and Xanthi was completed. 21-23 February 2022.

During the contacts, critical development concerns were recorded and common directions of action were identified for the benefit of the regional economy and society, based on the conclusion of the Inter-Party Committee of the Parliament for the Development of Thrace, during which BSE had presented substantiated proposals. In addition to problems of a horizontal nature, Thrace businesses are also facing long-term failures in regional development planning, especially in terms of infrastructure networks, human and capital outflows, and the labor market.

In particular, as it emerged from the meetings, contacts and elaborations of BSE, among the most important challenges for the economy and society of the region are also:
-accelerate the reversal of the divestment trend, with targeted utilization of financial tools to increase value-added production, link the primary sector with manufacturing, and create stable jobs for local communities.

-the support of companies in the management of extremely high transport costs, at least until the completion of the already launched railway transport projects and the vertical axes on the Egnatia Odos.

-the difficulty of coordinating the services of the administration in the completion of requests of companies, with typical examples, among others, the settlement of public debts (the well-known 12%), and the licensing of facilities.

-the active confrontation of unfair competition practices by neighboring countries, which drastically affect the dynamics of local production, and the competitiveness of the region of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace.

-the high energy costs, with main demands, on the one hand the support in the existing framework of developments, and on the other hand the acceleration and clarification of the interventions that will assist the extended use of RES in production, including the possibility of offsetting energy produced by RES (net metering).

-meeting the production needs of human resources of all skills, with emphasis on technical professions. The outflow of human capital, especially young people, creates a vicious circle of labor market shortages, disinvestment and parallel unemployment.

-the connection of companies with the Democritus University of Thrace to enhance research, innovation and students’ familiarity with the labor market.

During the visit, the BSE delegation, headed by Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Efthymios O. Vidalis, visited industrial units in the area and businesses, while meetings were held with the Regional Authority of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace and representatives of local businesses. In addition, in a special ceremony, a cooperation agreement was signed between SEV and the Democritus University of Thrace, for joint initiatives and actions to familiarize students with the labor market and the skills required by the 4th industrial revolution, but also to connect the research community with the production. There was also a roundtable discussion with businessmen and stakeholders in the region from all sectors, on the challenges and opportunities they face, and the ways in which BSE can assist their efforts for the benefit of the local community and economy. Talking to companies in the region, Mr. Vidalis stressed that “the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has a special national importance and investment perspective, which BSE already supports, based on the needs of the local community and economy – especially young people. BSE “It will continue to support the industry and businesses of the region. Because we believe that today does not mean national development without regional development.”

THE managing director of Mylos Thrace Mr. Nadia Ouzounopoulou, who accompanied the BSE delegation in Thrace, said: “In the current period of exceptional difficulties experienced primarily by the industrial enterprises of the country, we welcome the visit of BSE executives headed by the Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Efthymios Thidrakis We shared our anxiety about the prolonged delay in the completion of the repayment procedures of the recognized claims of the companies from the Labor Grant of 12%, the exorbitant energy costs, the absence of electric railway infrastructure and connection of our ports with the island Greece and the island Greece. , the difficulties of finding qualified human resources, the need for rapid implementation of the recently adopted Development Law, the strengthening of funding for Research and Innovation programs, the encouragement of cooperation between companies and the Research Sector, the orientation towards education human capital and a number of other issues. “Once again we have found that we have a valuable supporter in claiming our vital demands, as they were recognized by the Inter-Party Committee of the Parliament.”

Source: Capital

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