Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-02

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Industrialists present proposals, positions during meeting with PM

[01] Industrialists present proposals, positions during meeting with PM

"We conveyed our views on how reforms will affect the marketplace now and in the future," SBBE President George Mylonas said after the meeting.

SBBE submitted four proposals to the premier which are aimed at regional growth and at providing Greek companies better access to Balkan and Black Sea markets.

They include the creation of an innovation zone for hi-tech firms, a proposal that Karamanlis called 'an important initiative' and promised to promote; the creation of free commerce zones near the border to keep Greek firms from relocating to the Balkans. Karamanlis expressed reservations to this idea due to possible European Union restrictions.

SBBE also proposed reducing the number of districts in the country in order to facilitate absorption of EU funds and establishing a Business Planning Centre under the auspices of the Thrace-Macedonia Ministry.

As for tax issues and labour relations, Mylonas said that these topics were not discussed with the premier.

Asked to comment on the demonstrations scheduled to take place during the International Thessaloniki Trade Fair (TIF), Mylonas said that this is a critical time that requires cooperation among all concerned parties.

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