G. Chatzitheodosiou (EEC): Pressure is intensifying on households and businesses – Immediate measures are needed

In the coming weeks, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Giannis Chatzitheodosiou, spoke to ERT1 about the increase in pressure on households and businesses, due to accuracy, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention by the government.

Mr. Hatzitheodosiou, answering a relevant question, referred to the reduction of consumption and the restrained markets of consumers even during the festive period of Easter, while for the Easter table he estimated that its cost will be increased by about 20%.

When, as he explained, household income is depleted in supermarkets and energy bills, there is no excess money for other markets, resulting in a reduction in turnover in other sectors, such as clothing and footwear, up to 50%.

The President pointed out that the source of all the price increases is the energy crisis, which he estimated will accompany us until the beginning of 2023. Therefore, he stressed that on the one hand “Europe can not remain apathetic” and on the other hand the government needs to strengthen support for energy increases.

At the same time, he reiterated the chamber’s proposals for a reduction of VAT on basic necessities, a reduction of VAT and VAT on fuel, as well as an increase in repayment installments of pandemic debts from 72 to 120.

With the cost of operating the companies having skyrocketed and the obligations, old and new, now unbearable, Mr. Hatzitheodosiou stressed that if there are no interventions from the government, more than 30% of companies will probably have no future.

Regarding the notoriety, he said that the ax should be heavy for those who make a profit, but stressed that there are very few companies that do it and the whole entrepreneurship should not be discredited.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ