His first speech before the new Board of Directors
The priorities of the new Board of Directors of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), were discussed at the first meeting of its 51 members, resulting from the elections on 30 November, 1 and 2 December 2024.
According to a statement, last Friday, the newly elected members met as a body and then, in accordance with the provisions, the first meeting and the nomination of the new Administrative Committee of EBEA took place, as follows:
Chairman: Yannis Bratakos
1st Vice President: Sophia Efraimoglou Kounenaki
2nd Vice President: Stavros Kafounis
3rd Vice President: Anastasios Iosifidis
Secretary general: Dimitrios Dimitriou
Financial Supervisor: Andreas Bekyras
Head of G.E.M.H. and Business Services: Andreas Leousis
Business Advisory Support Manager: Fanis Matsopoulos
Member of the Administrative Committee: Konstantinos Deriziotis
The goals
Mr. Bratakos, in his first speech before the new Board of Directors, after congratulating and welcoming all participants, emphasized among other things: “Last week’s election was a great victory, in principle for EBEA itself. The participation of our members was greater than any prediction. We had a 30% increase in origins compared to the previous election, which is a practical recognition of the work done during this time, but also a strong message of confidence for the future. The message of our members in the elections was clear.
The mandate was clear to implement our plan for a modern, strong, efficient EBEA. I need not emphasize how great is the responsibility that accompanies this mandate. EBEA is the largest and strongest chamber of the country. It is an institution with a tradition of more than 100 years in the service of entrepreneurship and development, with its own, self-luminous presence in public affairs, which supported and supports with responsibility, but also with courage and boldness, the positions of the market, which never ceased to pioneers with its actions and services – even in the most difficult periods for business. It is the chamber that has managed to become a reliable partner and interlocutor for all the bodies of the state, as well as the market and the academic community. The mission we undertake today is not only to honor this tradition, but to promote the market agenda even more effectively in the decision-making centers in Greece, but also in Europe. To become even more useful, essential allies for each of our members, in their quest for growth and progress.”
Referring to EBEA’s goals for the next period, Mr. Bratakos emphasized that EBEA can and should be at the forefront, in order to make the economy and its member companies more resistant to external shocks. “We will be at the forefront to support the efforts and plans of our members”he emphasized himself.
And at this level, said Mr. Bratakos, the priorities are clear:
- Keeping the focus on small and medium entrepreneurship, developing tools tailored to the needs of small and family businesses.
- Focus on informing and guiding members of the Chamber, for inclusion in investment financing programs.
- Continuation of the leading role in the field of extroversion: with new business missions and networking actions in markets of interest, with new training and consulting programs for businesses.
- Emphasis on the issues of finding, managing and developing human resources.
- Support of innovation and its diffusion throughout the business activity.
- Taking initiatives on green and digital transition issues, starting with a special study to identify barriers and opportunities.
- Preparation and adaptation of businesses to the Artificial Intelligence environment, by providing information to EBEA members for the utilization of relevant applications, but also for their protection against digital risks.
