The current financial and economic crisis will have a negative impact on Greek enterprises over the next five years, a survey by the Federation of Management Consultant Enterprises (SESMA) showed on Monday.

The survey, conducted on a sample of 180 top executives of Greek enterprises during the first half of 2010, showed that the most significant impact of the crisis was difficulty in accessing credit (64 pct), which combined with a high capital cost, were significantly burdening enterprises’ financing operations.

Around 70 pct of the sample reported lower sales, while 71 pct of enterprises said they expected a decline in net profits and more than half said they have cut back in their investment programs.

Almost half (49 pct) said they expected sales to fall in the next two years, although the percentage was down from 69 pct of the previous survey, while 39 pct of enterprises expected a worsening of their credit ratings.

A 92 pct of enterprises said they would cut back on their costs, while two-thirds would make a greater use of outsourcing services. However, 37 pct of the sample said their export business would not be affected because of the crisis.

Greece enterprises were cautiously optimistic over the course of the Greek economy in the next two years (47 pct), while 52 pct said they were pessimistic.