ACCI acknowledges the positive performance and stability of Greek economy during the last years, with growth rates that are among the highest in the euro zone.

In addition, it recognizes the fact that investments, tourism and exports have increased their contribution in the Greek financial growth rate, which presents an important qualitative change.

However, despite the progress that has been achieved, ACCI considers that Greek economy still faces significant structural weaknesses which have to do with:

• The deviation of inflation from the average euro zone standards.
• The high levels of unemployment, especially among the young and the women, despite of the recent decrease.
• The continuous rise of current account deficit, despite the increase of tourism, shipping and export incomes.
• The problems of unfair competition.
• The fact that Greece rates as the country with the 4th highest degree of rigid labor legislation compared to other OECD members.
• Closed professions and governmental regulation of prices – wages that warp competition and place an extra burden on both companies and consumers.

In order to eliminate all these structural weaknesses, ACCI considers necessary the acceleration of reforms, aiming to: 

• Create a new type of growth that will depend more on the production of internationally competitive products and services and less on individual consumption.
• The continuation of fiscal adjustment in order to achieve the goal of zero deficits by 2010.
• Create a more efficient state.