Katsafados: Priority to support the market of Piraeus – Meeting with the new Board of the Commercial Association

A meeting with the President of the Commercial Association of Piraeus (GCR), Thodoris Capralos, and the members of the new Board of Directors of the Association was recently held by the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Costas Katsafados, at the offices of the Association, on the main issues of concern to the local market and small and medium-sized enterprises of Piraeus.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the Deputy Minister, on the occasion of the assumption of duties by the new Board of Directors, in the context of continuous cooperation with the business community of the city.

According to a statement, during the discussion, issues related to the growing digital bureaucracy, high operational and energy costs, bank charges and e-invoicing burdens, as well as the lack of liquidity and the impact of inaccuracy on commercial businesses, among others, were raised.

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At the same time, issues related to the operation of the city and the market were discussed, such as the need to underground the lines of the HSTAP in the Neo Faliro-Piraeus section, the traffic problem, the safety of businesses, as well as the formulation of more flexible debt arrangements for businesses, depending on their size and turnover.

Special reference was also made to the link between tourism and the local market, with the aim of creating a more integrated tourism product for Piraeus and boosting visitor numbers. In this context, the possibility of transferring the Piraeus Maritime Court to the area of Rouf was also discussed.

The President of the Commercial Association of Piraeus stressed that commercial enterprises are facing ever-increasing pressures, noting the need to take immediate and applicable support measures for the viability and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.

For his part, Katsafados said that supporting entrepreneurship and the local market is a key priority, while expressing his understanding of the challenges facing the commercial world of Piraeus. As he noted, he will convey the Association’s requests and proposals to the relevant government and institutional bodies.

The two sides agreed to continue regular cooperation, with the aim of strengthening the local market and upgrading the development dynamics of Piraeus.