Kostas Damigos, 1st Vice President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, candidate for Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BEA in the upcoming Chamber elections in December
THE ELECTIONS in Chambers throughout the country is an extremely important institutional process, since the Chambers have historically played a fundamental role in the economy and national development.
INDUSTRIAL Athens Chamber, the largest Chamber of Commerce in the country, which in a few months will be 100 years old, has 35 thousand members, manufactures small and micro businesses and professionals in technical fields. Our Chamber members can count on our services for a wide range of their needs and desires.
THE MOST RECENTLY For years, the Athens Chamber of Commerce has been providing consultancy and support services to each of its members individually. We are constantly developing and improving the communication between members and the Chamber, through innovative tools and applications, so that we can understand the needs of our members in a timely and direct manner and offer realistic and useful solutions.
protects its interests, exerts pressure on institutions and the State for the best possible direction and development, advises in favor of its progress, the result of which is greater revenue for the State, increased employment and social well-being. Knowing full well that public opinion has an incorrect or incomplete knowledge about the municipal institution, I make the following clear:
- The Chambers are not subsidized by the State, nor do they burden the State budget.
- Its income comes from member subscriptions, our paid services provided and the operation of the General Commercial Registry Office.
- They are audited annually, for financial management, by the Development Department, through certified accountants.
Business – members of the Chambers are invited to highlight their new administrations, at a national level, through the electoral process, on the three days of November 30, December 1 and 2, 2024.
As the head of the Industrial Development – Meeting combination, I invite our members, as many as wish, to declare their candidacy in time, as well as all our members, to present themselves for the appointment of the new board of directors, through their vote.
THE BIGGEST is participation, the stronger the mandate and the responsibility we assume to go even further, to achieve even more. A strong Chamber means mass participation in decisions, proposals and the electoral process.
INSIDE In one sentence, I would describe our goal as “to continue the successful path of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, with a further development of our services”. The current board of directors and the current president, Mr. Pavlos Ravanis, have given a competitive and assertive character, of large sectors to our Chamber and our intention is, starting from this project, to produce with a specific strategy, results that are beneficial for our members, the small and very small companies of the craft sector, but also for the Greek society.
Our plan:
- Sector-specific policies. The essence of the Chamber’s knowledge of all the professions it represents, to be transformed into sector-specific policies.
- Modernization of technical schools and creation of new ones. Seeking to develop communication with young people, for inclusion in technical professions.
- Education in technical professions. Modern equipment and modernization of laboratories, adapted to new trends. Training of coaches. Specific proposals for training in technical fields. It is necessary to redesign the education and vocational training of young people, with the main objective of orientation towards technical professions. The Athens Chamber of Commerce continues its planning in collaboration with DYPA and the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports, to achieve this objective.
- Culture shift from outsourcing to manufacturing.
- Lobby for the licensing of unlicensed occupations. Promote the already designed and integrated framework for the modernization and simplification of the licensing of technical professions and maintenance of the National Register of Professional Licenses.
PERSONALLY, Like the vast majority of our candidates, we were elected and have been working for many years for the development of the Athens Chamber of Commerce. We open new paths of innovation, we are in the midst of business, political and social developments, we study and perceive new trends and always implement them with respect for people and their efforts.
RECENTLY, We launched the area of female entrepreneurship at BEA, with the aim of highlighting the problems and requests of female business owners in the Chamber, encouraging new female members to do business and improving the business climate for women.
We created new networks of collaboration and extroversion, carried out important restructuring and presented the engine of equal opportunities and possibilities for women in entrepreneurship.
This fact is in itself hopeful and gives rise to expectations that until now seemed impossible. I am convinced that together, with dialogue and understanding, we will succeed.
A BETTER and a fairer tax system, specialization of Human Resources, organization and framework for the adaptation of products, incentives and information for more accessible financing tools, export opportunities, international know-how.
Strong administrations are defined by member participation, as needs, proposals and requests come from the members themselves.
WE ARE part of the same social and professional fabric, we have the same problems and the same concerns, but we can act and act. We just have to believe that we can.
THE INSTITUTION of the Chambers is extremely important for the economy, society and progress.
Let’s all support him for better days for our businesses, our people, our families, society as a whole.