Without a letter of guarantee from the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, it is announced that the Deputy Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Alexis Charitsis and the Special Secretary for the Management of Sectoral Operational Programs, Eugenia Fotoniata, held a meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, with the President of the Deposits and Loans Fund, Konstantinos Varlamitis.

Escrow Account, no letter of guarantee

Αντικείμενο της συνάντησης αποτέλεσε η οριστικοποίηση των όρων σύστασης του Ανοιχτού Καταπιστευτικού Λογαριασμού (Escrow Account) στο Ταμείο Παρακαταθηκών και Δανείων. Ο Ανοιχτός Καταπιστευτικός Λογαριασμός θα ενεργοποιηθεί τις αμέσως επόμενες ημέρες με την έκδοση σχετικής Υπουργικής Απόφασης από τον κ. Χαρίτση.

As it emerged from the meeting, from now on, the beneficiaries of the NSRF will be able to receive an advance payment through the Deposit Fund, relieving them of the letter of guarantee, which acted as a deterrent for a very large number of interested parties.

The deposit will be given through the open fiduciary account created in the Consignment Fund. The establishment of this Account achieves the disbursement of the co-financed resources to the beneficiaries of the four entrepreneurship actions that are already in progress, without requiring them to deposit an advance guarantee.

This initiative is part of the emerging policy framework, promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism. It aims to simplify and speed up the procedures for implementing investment projects, enhance liquidity and financially support beneficiaries in order to facilitate their business initiatives.

After the meeting, Mr. Charitsis made the following statement:

"Today's meeting seals a new cooperation between the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism and the Deposits and Loans Fund, which aims to facilitate the beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship actions of the Operational Program. "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020". With the President of the Fund, Mr. Varlamitis, we agreed on the final details for the establishment of an Open Trust Account. The Account will exempt the beneficiaries of the actions from the deposit of the advance payment guarantee. A condition which, as is well known in the market, acted as a deterrent to a very large number of interested parties.

This is a measure of substance. It responds to a basic demand of the country's productive and social actors, but also of a very large number of prospective investors who demonstrate ever-increasing confidence in the country's development prospects. We are confident that it will lead to the enhancement of market liquidity and the stimulation of business activity."