The Athens Chamber of Small and Medium Industries (BEA) announced on Monday that, just as last year, it will not hold its traditional annual New Year reception.

"Greek small and micro industries are going through a very difficult period and are facing a plethora of problems that are accumulating threateningly," a BEA announcement said.

"In such a context, the BEA administration has decided not to organise this year the traditional annual event for the New Year, in an act of acknowledgement of the difficulty of the times," the announcement added.