The National Confederation of Greek Commerce (ESEE) yesterday protested what it called the government’s indiscriminate accusations of profiteering against the country’s traders due to trends of rising prices in certain goods categories. “The Greek market, in its best side by far, functions under conditions of very intense competition, indeed, at a time of recession,” ESEE said in a statement, suggesting that the government either sought “to transpose its own responsibilities for the persistently high inflation or to serve its own communication needs.” It said “serious” price rises were noted in fresh farm produce, entertainment and catering, utility rates, and many services. It called on the government to rethink the idea of publishing intimidating blacklists of traders and not to spur “spasmodic” boycotting acts by consumer associations. The Consumers’ Institute (INKA) has called for a national boycott of retailers on September 3.

E-business has made minimal penetration among small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Greek regions outside Athens, while it also lags far behind the EU average and particularly that of northern countries, according to a study conducted by the e-business forum, a mixed working group comprised of senior public and private sector managers and academics. The main problems found are inadequate diffusion of information to SMEs about new economy operating modes, the lack of properly trained staff for SMEs, very low levels of sensitization and know-how, and a complete lack of strategy or vision regarding e-business among SME staff. The study also found a murky legal framework and inadequate or ineffective economic incentives for the practice. Remedial measures include information campaigns, special training programs, creation of one-stop-shops for prospective investors, and larger subsidies for use of the Internet, buying software and providing specialized training for staff.

Greece has harmonized its legislation to Directive 2000/26/EC, stipulating that EU drivers sustaining injury or material damage in another member state will be compensated in their country of permanent residence by representatives of the companies insuring the drivers at fault. Member states have to set up information centers where victims may obtain all the particulars of foreign registration numbers, the respective insurers and representatives. The Greek center will be operated by the General Secretariat of Trade.

The Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) will be fully privatized and the government will not retain any shares, Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told Parliament during the debate on the privatizations bill, which was approved yesterday. He said banks and institutional investors had already expressed interest in the scheme.

Eurobank Properties has submitted an offer to buy the premises of 16 supermarkets of the Carrefour and Champion chains in Athens and Thessaloniki, worth over 44 million euros. The chain is to lease the buildings after selling them.