Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired the Governmental Industry Committee at the Maximos Mansion, declaring manufacturing and industry central to economic growth.
Speaking in Athens, Mitsotakis stated that strengthening the national productive base is a strategic priority to build a more competitive, outward-looking, and resilient Greek economy.
Mitsotakis leads the governing centre-right New Democracy party and has served as Prime Minister of Greece since 2019. The Maximos Mansion in central Athens serves as the official seat and workplace of the Greek prime minister.
Mitsotakis noted that while discussions in mid-summer usually center on tourism, the government symbolically chose to focus on manufacturing. He said industry has returned to the core of European policy amid geopolitical shifts, energy uncertainty, and international competition.
He said Greece is actively participating in European consultations on competitiveness, energy, investment, and critical value chains. He recalled that the government previously presented its transition plan for a new production model in October 2024 alongside the ministry, relevant departments, and sector representatives.
Industrial Investments and Regional Growth
The prime minister highlighted reforms simplifying administrative procedures and noted that the national development law has prioritized industrial investment. He emphasized regional development in areas such as Western Macedonia and Megalopolis, which are undergoing energy transitions away from traditional coal power.
Mitsotakis stated that the government is providing support for high energy costs within available fiscal limits. He added that officials are finalizing a special spatial planning framework for industry under strict timelines set by the European Union Recovery Fund, incorporating feedback from industry representatives.
According to Mitsotakis, the initiative has already yielded increased industrial investment, higher exports, and 60,000 new industrial jobs paying wages generally well above the national average. He pointed to growth in export sectors including pharmaceuticals, defense, metals, food, and advanced technologies.
He said productivity relies on the quality of Greek labor and the capacity of domestic businesses to integrate innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, into high value-added products.
European Budget and Competitiveness Funding
Looking ahead, Mitsotakis called for a new framework of institutional reforms to speed up procedures and secure funding as European Union budget negotiations conclude over the next 18 months.
He highlighted that the European Union budget includes 450 billion euros for a proposed Competitiveness Fund without fixed national allocations. He called for close collaboration between the government and private sector to secure 10 billion to 15 billion euros from the fund, describing it as equivalent to half of Greece's Recovery Fund allocation.
Speaking as leader of New Democracy, Mitsotakis affirmed that industrial investment will remain a central pillar of the party program heading into the spring 2027 general elections. He said that while Greece is currently growing faster than the European average, the goal for the next four-year term is a larger leap in growth, faster investment convergence as a share of gross domestic product, and wider regional wealth distribution.
Seven Priorities for Industrial Policy
Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos detailed the government's operational plan during the meeting, presenting seven specific priorities to support industry and innovation.
Theodorikakos said the government will accelerate 11 critical reforms, including updated strategies for business parks and industrial ports, improved transport access, a digital business activity permit, and broader administrative simplifications. He stated that the government is supporting 3.7 billion euros in productive investments through the development law and strategic investment frameworks.
The minister added that 700 million euros will be mobilized by 2030 for energy upgrades and cost reduction in manufacturing. He announced a national agenda with the Labor and Education ministries to align technical skills with production needs, alongside a new national semiconductor strategy.
Theodorikakos concluded by stating that Greece will establish a strong position in European agenda talks on industrial resources. He proposed permanently upgrading the Governmental Industry Committee with joint ministry and industry working groups to ensure ongoing accountability and execution.
