National Development Plan Set to Stimulate Greek Economy

The Economic and Social Council of Greece presented a national development plan during a recent event in Athens.

Aiming to spur financial activity and restore Greece to the economic markets, the national development plan drawn up by the Economic and Social Council of Greece was presented this week during a special event in Athens.

The plan comes after 15 months of consultations with all stakeholders including political parties, social groups and citizens, and includes recommendations on ways to emerge stronger out of the crisis.

George Vernicos, president of the Economic and Social Council of Greece.

“It is vital that we establish an outward-looking economy based on investment and innovation. We must redesign the educational system, promote research and link it to production,” said George Vernicos, president of the Economic and Social Council of Greece, addressing the delegates, ministers and policy-makers attending the event.

The scheme focuses on innovation, know-how, education and research, as well as synergies.

“We set up a working committee to record the positions of the productive classes and to highlight points of convergence. We developed a plan that recognizes the need for political and social consensus, aiming to establish Greece into a socially sustainable country with sustainable development, social justice and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources,” Vernicos said, adding that all stakeholders “agree that there is a need to reduce unemployment and create stable and quality jobs”.

Yiannis Retsos, president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE).

On his part, Yiannis Retsos, president of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), added that healthy growth can only be a result of economic and political stability. “It must also include a realistic investment and competitiveness framework that will remain stable over a decade. A national spatial plan for tourism must also be completed immediately to ensure legitimacy. Finally, a flexible financing system must be in place to guarantee liquidity and financial solutions and tools for healthy business plans that have the potential to create added value and jobs.”