FinMin Venizelos Met Greek Entrepreneurs
The criticism by Greek entrepreneurs towards the government is indulgent, as it could be stricter said FinMin Evangelos Venizelos at a meeting with representatives of financial, banking and business industry on Tuesday, adding that the government is handling a state of emergency.
“We put in order many issues simultaneously. It is a very critical quarter, therefore there is need for patience and sense of collegiality”, concluded the minister.
He appeared confident that –with the help of the country’s productive actors-, Greece would emerge from the outbreak of the crisis within the next three years.
The event, organized by EFG Eurobank and the Athens Exchange ahead of the next road show in early September in London, was an initiative of businessman Evangelos Mytilineos and Eurobank’s deputy chief executive Nikos Karamouzis.
Among others, the event was attended by E. Mytilineos (mytilineos Group), G.Peristeris (GEKTERNA), A. Kallitsantsis (Ellaktor) D. Daskalopoulos (Greek Federation of Enterprises), K. Antonopoulos (Intralot), A. Petalas (Fourlis), K. Rozakis (Sarantis), B . Rogakos and N. Polymenakos (OPAP).
M.Masourakis, senior director at Alpha Bank, asked the minister whether the objective of deficit decreasing at 7.5% is achievable. E.Venizelos replied that the target still stands, adding that a common framework would be prepared at the meetings with the troika.
Regarding the important issue of “frozen” large construction projects, Venizelos revealed that it is matter of time before an amending agreement is tabled in the parliament to unblock the projects. As for the state debts to companies, raised by G.Peristeris (GEKTERNA), the minister stressed that the activation of EFSF and the participation of private investors will have a positive impact on the settlement of outstanding debt.
Ellaktor’s Kallitsantsis raised the issue of an excise duty on natural gas, with Venizelos promising to review the measure.
(capital.gr)