Thrace business federation warns of growing pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises

The Federation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Thrace (OEETh) has sent a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Ministers of Finance and Labour, warning about the growing challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses across Thrace and calling for targeted measures to support the region’s retail sector.

The intervention comes ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair, with the federation submitting a series of proposals covering taxation, liquidity, banking costs, operating expenses and labour-market policies.

Retail turnover declines in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
The federation highlighted recent data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), which show that Eastern Macedonia and Thrace was the only one of Greece’s 13 regions to record a decline in retail turnover during the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

Retail businesses in the region recorded turnover of approximately €494 million, representing a 0.1% decline year-on-year. By contrast, retail turnover increased in the other regions of Greece, with growth ranging from 1.2% to 4.9%.

The OEETh argues that the figures underline the particularly difficult conditions facing businesses in Thrace, where companies are dealing with rising operating costs, limited liquidity, changing consumer behaviour, increased competition and significant regional inequalities.

Federation calls for tax and financial reforms
In its letter, the federation describes small and medium-sized enterprises as a cornerstone of the Greek economy and regional development and calls for measures aimed at improving their financial sustainability.

Among its proposals are the abolition of presumptive taxation and living-expense presumptions, the establishment of an unseizable business bank account for active enterprises, the abolition of advance tax payments, lower tax rates and the abolition of the business levy.

On liquidity and the banking system, the federation is calling for reductions in banking fees, POS charges and account-management costs, while also seeking the preservation and expansion of financing instruments such as POS Advance.

Calls for lower operating costs in Thrace
The OEETh is also calling for measures to reduce the operating costs faced by businesses in the region.

One of its key proposals is the reinstatement of an exemption from toll payments for business vehicles operated by companies with professional establishments in Thrace when travelling between municipalities on the Egnatia Motorway and its vertical road axes.

The federation is additionally seeking measures to reduce non-wage labour costs, compensation for expenses associated with implementing the Digital Labour Card and support for electronic invoicing costs and annual provider subscriptions.

It also proposes the introduction of an energy price cap covering electricity and natural gas.

Labour market measures
Regarding employment, the federation is calling for the Digital Labour Card system to be rationalised, including the application of a principle of shared responsibility between employers and employees.

The OEETh said effective public policy requires meaningful dialogue with economic and social stakeholders and expressed hope that its proposals would contribute to a more stable and development-oriented framework for Greek commerce.

The federation has also circulated its memorandum to MPs and chambers of commerce in the İskeçe, Rhodope and Meriç regional units, calling for coordinated action to provide immediate support to businesses across Thrace.