Six proposals of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for the greatest possible response of its member companies to the new Development Law, were submitted by the president of EBEA, Yiannis Bratakos, in a letter to the Minister of Development and Investments, Adonis Georgiadis and the deputy minister, Nikos Papathanasis.

EBEA's proposals for the Development Law concern:

• completions
• additions
• variations in the draft law

to:

• improve its developmental character
• to accelerate the absorption of funds
• to boost employment

The proposals for the Development Law

More specifically, regarding the special categories of aid that will receive the incentive of the grant, their direction is proposed:

• in projects implemented in fire-affected areas of Attica
• that demonstrate secured financing through equity or loan pre-approval
• which show an increase in employment in recent years, or after the investment

EBEA also proposes the revision of the distinction between Medium and Small businesses, which the new law attempts. The proposal is coming in contrast with policies, programs and measures developed and put into operation by the European Union for Small and Medium Enterprises, in order to facilitate the access to grants of a larger share of medium-sized enterprises. A fact that will work positively for the normalization of competition between the member states of the European Union and for the broader recovery of the economy.

Regarding him new Regional Aid Map that will apply in the period 2022/27, EBEA proposes to make an advance diagnosis of the expected effects that will occur from the exclusion of the Central, North and South Sectors from the Athens area. Also from taking action as compensate for the new conditions. Indicatively, as the letter states, it could be requested increasing the aid limit of the de minimis rule. But also new programs for Attica with prior notification for approval to the Community.

With regard to the implementation of an investment on a plot of land that does not belong to the entity of the investment and a lease term of at least 15 years is required, it is proposed to reduce it to the time period necessary to implement and cover the long-term obligations of the investment plan, plus two years.

In the context of the digital and technological transformation of businesses, it is proposed to add "Production of Software, Robotics and Industry 4.0 Products and Services, Development of Internet of Things (IoT) Products and Services" to the subordinated investment plans. It is also proposed that "software production" also means the development of a stand-alone application on an existing software platform.

Finally, EBEA proposes the participation of representatives of the relevant Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the 15-member advisory committee with voting rights.