In a recent interview, Ioannis Bratakos, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is essential for maintaining a resilient economy rather than merely a social policy. He urges banks and the government to ensure that consistent businesses and citizens have access to a fair and functioning financial system. Bratakos advocates for faster banking processes and better-targeted products tailored to the real economy, along with stable regulations and operational guarantee tools from the state.

Bratakos proposes three practical solutions aimed at improving SME financing, highlighting the importance of supporting these smaller entities as a key to economic development. He critiques the reliance on large corporations and suggests that sustainable growth cannot be achieved without empowering SMEs, which play an integral role in the economy. By reinforcing funding access for these businesses, he believes Greece can foster a more balanced economic landscape.

Furthermore, Bratakos calls attention to the need for clearer communication between the state and the financial institutions, signaling that consistent behavior and performance should be rewarded. His statements reflect a growing concern regarding the economic ecosystem in Greece, particularly how to stimulate growth amid various global challenges, positioning SMEs at the forefront of recovery efforts.