Greek Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli on Monday announced a package of measures worth more than 1.5 billion euros over the next three years, aimed at boosting liquidity in the market as part of a plan to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country.

Announcing the measures, during a ceremony to sign a “National Support Plan for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises 2010-2013), the Greek minister stressed that the small business act was proof of the government’s will to support small enterprises. She conveyed a message by Prime Minister George Papandreou saying that “the plan is a contract for cooperation between the state and the market. We can deal with the crisis all together and become stronger”.

The package of initiatives announced by the government envisaged:

• - The activation, in cooperation with European Investment Bank, of a Jeremie initiative with 290 million euros
• - The set up of a Business Fund with a capital 460 million euros from a Competitiveness Business Program, to finance investments totaling 1.5 billion euros in the next three years
• - Announcing actions from the Industry’s general secretariat, in the framework of a fourth Community Support Framework Program, budgeted at 300 million euros.

The contract to supporting small enterprises, signed by the Greek minister and representatives of the business world, includes three actions: supporting innovation and competitiveness, boosting export activities and boosting liquidity in the market

Officials from the manufacturing and commerce sectors welcomed the signing of the contract.