Change of baton in the presidency of the Central Union of Chambers. Giannis Chatzitheodosiou, president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, resigned today from the presidency of the Central Union of Chambers of Greece. Giannis Masoutis takes over the position of president.
Specifically, in his statement, Mr. Hatzitheodosiou states the following:
“I am leaving the position of the president of KEEE having a clear conscience that I have done my duty in full. Something that many presidents of Chambers have acknowledged and I thank them. , I will give it every day from the position of the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce. Konstantinos Michalos and my unanimous election as president of the Central Union of Chambers of Greece, some “willing” members of the Administrative Committee raised the issue of my replacement, something that has never happened before in the history of the Chamber institution. any decisions on KEEE actions had been taken unanimously. My interventions in support of the country’s businesses, at a time when business is affected by the constant price increases and the economic consequences of the pandemic, were deemed disturbing. Some would prefer at this critical time for the KEEE not to express the positions of the Chambers and their members and to remain in silence. Not to be ruthless, without participation in extra-institutional and micropolitical gimmicks, always at the service of all the companies of the country, but to become a meek instrument of some government agents. Let Mr. Bratakos explain to us what exactly was discussed last night at the offices of EVEA between him, the 7 members of the Board of Directors of KEEE who sign the proposal for my replacement, the Director of KEEE and its legal advisor? Since when does the president of EVEA deal with the internal affairs of KEEE? Is this a crude intervention aimed at replacing me? Maybe things would have turned out differently if I had been more “quiet” and less assertive. But in my life I have never had such dilemmas. I have always sought to be helpful and not necessarily pleasant. To speak with deeds and not to be satisfied with the formal obligations of a “yes man”. I leave this role to others.
I am leaving the position of the president of KEEE having a clear conscience that I have done my duty in full. Something that many presidents of Chambers have recognized and I thank them. Now, the battle for the rights of small and medium-sized businesses and the development prospects they must acquire, I will fight every day from the position of president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce “.
Action report
In the report of the actions during his presidency, Mr. Hatzitheodosiou referred to the projects that are going to be financed and to the new proposals that are planned for the benefit of entrepreneurship.
These projects concern the following:
– New General Commercial Register and upgrades to the existing one (GEMI)
KEEE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Government, is in the process of improving GEMI, in order to digitize services, which so far are provided with a physical presence at the various service points of GEMI (Chambers).
After a meeting with the General Secretary Mr. Christopoulos, the commitment for financing amounting to 1,500,000 euros for the modernization of the existing GEMI was secured and a horizontal pan-Hellenic program was agreed for the upgrading of digital skills of employees.
In addition, the company Grant Thornton was commissioned to draft a preliminary design for the design of the new GEMI. This preliminary study is the basis for the simplification of procedures concerning GEMI, through administrative and legislative regulations (Secretary General of Digital Policy and Simplification of Procedures).
Finally, the design of the new GEMI has started, which will be the central business register of the country, with which all the individual registers will be interconnected.
The project also includes the creation of an Entrepreneurship Observatory, in which all open data on entrepreneurship will be collected, in order for it to be a valuable tool, both for existing and sub-established companies.
Project budget: 25,000,000 euros.
– Entrepreneurship Support Structures (new initiative)
The project concerns the creation of a structure under the K.E.E.E., through which companies throughout the country, will be able to receive information (telephone / digital) for their participation in co-financed actions announced under the new NSRF and the Recovery Fund.
The action was originally planned based on Law 4605/2019, but its funding ran into State Aid issues.
The K.E.E.E. collaborated with the executives of the Ministry of Development and Investment and faced all the individual problems, redesigning the action, so that it can now be included in funding.
Proposed action budget: 20,000,000 euros.
– E-Commerce Support Structure (new initiative)
The action concerns the creation of a structure, through which companies will receive support for the creation and operation of online stores (e Shops).
The action includes the creation of such a digital platform, extremely easy to use, with capabilities for the rapid creation of online stores, as well as the provision of telephone / digital support to businesses in matters of operation of their online store.
The action is planned according to the standards of the respective action implemented by the Athens Chamber of Commerce, for its member companies.
Action budget: 20,000,000 euros.
– Development of Advanced Digital Capabilities for Business Human Resources (new initiative)
The action has been designed in collaboration with EDYTE and the General Secretariat for Digital Policy of the Ministry of Digital Government.
The action includes the development of digital skills in two areas:
1. Industry 4.0 (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain, etc).
2. Use of the new digital services of the State (use of the digital platforms and the new digital tools / services).
The action is addressed to 4,000 natural persons, employees of Greek companies and has a budget of 5,000,000 euros.
– Digital Transformation of Entrepreneurship
(under implementation)
The main object of the project is the upgrade of G.E.M.I. to be a modern and complete register for the benefit of business and management. Also, the project aims to promote G.E.M.I. in a tool for Public Administration through the collection and analysis of data and information entered in it relevant documentation and drawing conclusions.
Finally, the project will distribute digital signatures to companies, notaries, lawyers and accountants.
The implementation of the project presented serious delays, but now it is progressing rapidly and within the next few days, the distribution of digital signatures is expected to begin.
The project is funded by the Public Investment Program, with a budget of about 32,000,000 euros + 10,000,000 euros as an option.
– Training in the sectors of Infrastructure and Transport
(under implementation)
The project concerns the training, certification and counseling of individuals in the infrastructure and transport sectors.
The project presented significant delays in its implementation, which are identified in the approval of tender documents by the Ministry of Labor.
The KEEE has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Labor and the resolution of the issues is expected to be completed soon.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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