G. Tsakiris: The first actions are being planned for the digital and green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises in the NSRF

The first emblematic actions for the digital and green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises are being planned in the NSRF, as stated by the Deputy Minister of Development and Investments Yiannis Tsakiris speaking today on the Mega TV station while noting that, “immediately after the summer, these actions will come out and be very fast in terms of both the paperwork and the operation of the businesses. The disbursement will be made immediately.”

The Deputy Minister initially made an assessment of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s visit to Greece. As he said “in the last 2.5 years, Greece has significantly opened the field of contacts, especially business ones, with the Arab Gulf, and with the UAE and with other countries, we have developed the part of economic diplomacy and this visit is the result of many other of visits – we had also been to Saudi Arabia earlier… During the visit of the crown prince to Greece, very important commercial agreements were signed, the first of which was the construction of a data cable that essentially unites the Arabian peninsula with Europe”.

The NSRF for small and medium enterprises

Regarding the utilization of community resources, the deputy minister noted that “over the years, they have helped our country both in times of crisis and in times of development. A final example is the contribution of community resources during the pandemic. All these actions that took place , from the NSRF mainly, the strengthening of the market and society – more than a total of 15 billion fell on businesses alone, in order to stay alive, to keep jobs – and the results were seen. Few businesses closed, unemployment decreased surprisingly and fortunately, so we got through the pandemic crisis with very little compared to other European countries.

“What this government is doing is, before announcing or planning any project, to have solved all the problems, which was not done before. For example, in the Northern Road Axis of Crete, which after so many years is starting, and a key point to do these projects is the financing. A large part of the BOAK will be financed by the new NSRF. As well as other transportation projects, such as Line 4 of the metro, the renewal of bus fleets, the connection of Kymi Avenue with the National Highway and several other regional and railway projects, which will transform Greece in terms of transport, contributing beyond serving the citizens to a more competitive economy. Transport is an important infrastructure for an economy,” he stressed about the “Transportation” program and the inclusion of many roads networks in the program Mr. Tsakiris.

“For small and medium enterprises, the operational program has already been approved, it is a little less than 4 billion euros, and at the moment, we are planning the first flagship actions for the digital and green transition of small and medium enterprises. The NSRF is an investment tool, it is not working capital tool and therefore the company will have to invest in fixed assets in order to become more competitive, and right after the summer these actions will come out and they will be very fast in terms of both bureaucracy and business operations. The disbursement will be made immediately as long as they have the supporting documents for the expenses”. “Now, the money will quickly go to businesses that need it,” he added characteristically.

He added: “The NSRF concerns only small and medium enterprises. We hear from the opposition mainly that the money goes to large enterprises. The EU funds of the NSRF go to small and medium enterprises. The small and medium enterprise is defined according to the European regulation and there are categories : very small, small and medium”.

“The government is dealing with the energy crisis very well, both by supporting citizens, the economically vulnerable and businesses. Unfortunately, in every crisis, under normal conditions they are at the limit and in one crisis, unfortunately, they cannot survive,” he explained.

In addition, he noted that in addition to the NSRF for transport there is also the NSRF for climate change, which concerns very large projects that will help our country to deal with climate challenges but also in energy security and energy saving. He cited Revythoussa as an example, and in response to a related question, he emphasized: “our country is at a very good level, both in terms of energy efficiency and in terms of planning”.