A set of measures and proposals to address the challenges faced by businesses in Piraeus and the coastal and island regions under the jurisdiction of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce, was presented to the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Kostas Katsafados, the Chairman of the EEP and Financial Supervisor of the KEE, Mr. Giannis Voutsinas.
At the meeting held at the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the following representatives of the EEP were present: First Vice President Mr. Nikos Papageorgiou, Second Vice President Leonidas Michas, Secretary General Christos Daflos, Financial Supervisor Pavlos Politakis, the Head of GEMI and Business Services, Ms. Iphigenia Peppa, the Head of Business Advisory Support, Mr. Dimitris Syxeris, and the members of the Board of Directors: Mr. Giannis Mourtzoukos, Chair of the Professionals Division, Ms. Alexandra Pantelarou, Vice Chair of the Services Division, and Mr. Nikolaos Damilatis, EEP representative of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Association for Transportation (EESYM).
The President of the EEP, Mr. Giannis Voutsinas, after briefing the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Katsafados, on the Chamber’s activities, presented the EEP’s positions and proposals on matters falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy—as well as on issues of shared responsibility with other ministries —aimed at facilitating entrepreneurship and ensuring the smooth functioning of healthy competition for the benefit of the market, society, and, more broadly, both the local and national economies.
More specifically, the President of the EEP:
1. He emphasized the great importance of cooperation between the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce, and the Region of Attica in promoting tourist destinations and upgrading the tourism product, in order to attract as many tourists as possible during the summer season to the coastal areas of Western Attica, Lavreotiki, and Megarida, as well as the islands of the Saronic Gulf.
2.-Using Kythira and Antikythira as examples, he emphasized the need for the government to prioritize resolving problems and expediting procedures related to entrepreneurship in the remote regions of ourcountry.
3. He called for the immediate enactment of legislation to ensure the participation of Chamber of Commerce representatives on the boards of the local Municipal Port Funds.
4. He referred to the need to plan and implement strict controls to combat the black market, which undermines legitimate business, particularly during the tourist season.
5. — He requested that the funds for the transport subsidy be disbursed as soon as possible.
The Head of Business Advisory Support at EEP and President of the Poros Commercial and Professional Association Mr. Dimitris Syxeris, leveraging its participation in the Coastal Transport Council (S.A.S.) through the Chamber of Commerce, it focused on measures to facilitate tourism, such as increasing ferry schedules and announcing them in a timely manner to the tourism market, establishing ferry connections to remote areas, and the expediting of waterway licensing. .
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Kostas Katsafados, after discussing the Ministry’s actions and priorities at length, assured the EEP’s leadership that the issues raised would be taken into account and the proposals would be utilized, as the Ministry and the Chamber share common goals. He also emphasized that the Ministry and the Chamber will remain in close contact to achieve their shared goals and boost entrepreneurship, while simultaneously resolving problems that exist or arise throughout society.
The members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors presented Deputy Minister Katsafados with a memorandum outlining the aforementioned issues and their proposals regarding them.
Specifically:
Ferry Schedules
It is important to provide timely information on itineraries—especially during the summer—so that foreign and Greek travel agencies can take the necessary steps to plan their operations. It is particularly important that these schedules be announced during the international tourism fairs held from December through February.
Methana Ferry Service
Although Methana technically belongs geographically to the Peloponnese (and administratively to Attica), it has the characteristics of an island, and for decades its main access has been by sea. A connection to the Piraeus-Argosaronic line and to the high-speed ferries is essential.
Participation of Representatives from Island Chambers of Commerce in the Boards of Directors of Port Funds
In order to support the interests of professionals and businesses on the islands, it is important for representatives of the island chambers of commerce to participate in the governing bodies of municipal port funds and port authorities.
Transport Equivalent
This important measure, which had long been requested by the island chambers of commerce, is facing operational difficulties due to payment delays.
Cruise Ship Docks
As part of the efforts to upgrade tourism on the Argosaronic Islands, it is important to establish cruise ship anchorages for Aegina, Poros, and Spetses, as was done on Hydra.
Rigging Issues
Certain specific issues of dispute among professionals would be resolved if the mooring service for tourist vessels (sailing and motorboats) were the exclusive jurisdiction and responsibility of municipal port authorities (with the hiring of specialized staff).
Waterway Licensing
It is essential to expedite the procedures for the implementation and licensing of waterways on the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf and at the Attica Metropolitan Waterway (Piraeus). This would also contribute to the development of day trips (island tours) for tourists from Athens or Piraeus to the islands of the Saronic Gulf.
Diving Tourism
The creation of diving parks in the Argosaronic Gulf, with the possible creation of artificial reefs or points of interest (such as the sinking of ships or other structures), will contribute to the development of diving tourism on the islands.
Inspection for Illegal Trade
The Hellenic Coast Guard and Port Authority should step up inspections for illegal trade, both in the port land zone (PLZ)—specifically when supply vehicles and other commercial vehicles are unloading—and in other areas under the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction (beaches, etc.). This applies both to the sale of food and clothing and to items sold by itinerant—unauthorized—vendors.
Special attention for Kythira’s business community from the authorities
It is essential that specific guidelines be provided to the authorities and other government agencies, to ensure that special attention is given to the swift resolution of issues related to the day-to-day operations of professionals as well as to entrepreneurship in general in the most remote and inaccessible area under the jurisdiction of the EEP, as well as Attica.
