Chamber of Crafts of Athens
The AthensChamber of Crafts and Trades is again calling for the provision of electricity and gas subsidies to businesses. Depending on the amount of energy costs that weigh on each business sector.
Initially, on the occasion of today’s announcements by the Government, for the provision of subsidies on electricity and natural gas, the BEA’s Management notes:
Once again, the whole of the country’s businesses are being treated horizontally. No design, no differentiation from the amounts and the way thousands of businesses have been subsidised to date.
The Administration of the Athens Chamber of Crafts points out without response.
The Administration of the Athens Chamber of Crafts has pointed out many times that the measures should be differentiated by professional sector. Without, of course, having found “sympathetic ears” so far. Depending on the severity of energy costs, as we lead to injustices and inequalities between companies. An assessment by the economic staff and a careful approach is needed. So that it can be proven in practice that the measures will actually support businesses.
Horizontal subsidies are not enough
Unfortunately, horizontal subsidies are not sufficient for the survival of businesses. Many are inevitably revaluing their products, passing the cost on to the final consumer. Who, of course, in turn, cannot respond because of a limitation of their purchasing power.
The Administration of the BEA and its President Pavlos Ravanis, ask once again from the government and the responsible economic staff:
Proceed immediately to design targeted measures to support productive enterprises such as:
– To give craft enterprises a subsidy rate on the indexation clause and not a discount on the energy price for electricity and gas
– Increasing the energy subsidy recorded in energy tariffs, in the form of an interest-free loan or refundable advance. In order to address the liquidity problem they are facing. In particular, to subsidise retroactively the increase in energy tariffs for each month or two months. This, in any craft industry, where it is proven (based on the KAU) that energy is an important factor in the formation of its cost calculation. All this based on the energy prices of July 2021.
-Give the option of a fixed tariff to craft enterprises. To reduce their dependence on the energy market price.
-A plan to be drawn up by the government and business representatives, which will include financial support, in order for businesses to move towards the purchase of lower energy class machinery, or the production of renewable energy sources, for the manufacture of their products.
– Subsidy for the payment of municipal fees at 100% and after the end of the energy crisis, businesses to return to the previous regime.
-Reduction of specific taxes on energy bills
