İskeçe Chamber President M. Malliaroudaki meets with Government Officials to discuss incentives and support measures for the Region
Between October 21 and 24, 2025, the President of the İskeçe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Marianthi Malliaroudaki, held a series of meetings in Athens as part of efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship and highlight the region’s development potential.
The visit coincided with the 3rd “Unique Flavors from Eastern Macedonia & Thrace” Food and Beverage Exhibition, held from October 23–26 at the Syntagma Metro Exhibition Hall. Ms. Malliaroudaki participated actively, promoting İskeçe’s products and businesses and emphasizing the Chamber’s role in supporting the extroversion and competitiveness of local producers.
During her stay in Athens, Ms. Malliaroudaki also appeared live on the MEGA TV morning show “Koinonia Ora MEGA” with hosts Iordanis Hasapopoulos and Anthi Voulgari, where she presented the participation of the İskeçe Chamber and its member enterprises, showcasing the quality, authenticity, and uniqueness of local products.
Key Meetings with Government Officials
With Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis:
Mr. Kontogeorgis expressed the government’s intention to involve Chambers of Commerce more actively in the consultation process for Local Development Plans, recognizing their crucial contribution to regional policy design and implementation.
With Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos:
The Minister committed to visiting İskeçe in November. Ms. Malliaroudaki stressed that the 12% wage cost subsidy, abolished in 2016, was the last significant incentive for Thracian businesses. Since then, companies in the region have faced rising operational costs — particularly in energy and transport — without adequate compensatory support. She emphasized the need for new, updated measures to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses in Thrace.
With Minister of Rural Development and Food, Konstantinos Tsiaras:
Discussions focused on strengthening the primary sector, supporting local products, and linking agricultural production with processing and gastronomy. Ms. Malliaroudaki conveyed the serious concerns of livestock farmers affected by the recent outbreak of sheep and goat pox, which has caused major livestock losses and financial strain, threatening the continuity of traditional products vital to the local economy. She called for immediate compensation measures, stronger veterinary services, and enhanced disease prevention programs.
With Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou:
The discussion focused on policies connecting social cohesion with entrepreneurship and local development, aiming to create a comprehensive framework to support small and family-owned enterprises.
“These meetings are part of the İskeçe Chamber’s ongoing effort to advocate for local business interests, ensure participation in development policy design, and pursue effective solutions to strengthen the region’s productive base,” the Chamber’s statement concluded.
The Chamber of İskeçe reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitor developments, cooperate with relevant ministries, and continue systematic work toward entrepreneurial growth and regional development.
