Industries and enterprises in general, belonging to the so-called category A2 (formerly known as medium-sized enterprises) will be allowed to establish in business parks in Attica. This is provided for in the draft law of the Ministry of Development on business parks (EP), which will be under public discussion until tomorrow Saturday.

It is recalled that since 1985, by the famous Presidential Decree 85/85, the development of entrepreneurial activities of the so-called medium trouble in Attica has been prohibited. Of course, this has not prevented the illegal or derogatory licensing of many such activities and the creation of informal industrial concentrations without infrastructure in the basin. In the region of Attica, large-scale informal gatherings not once or twice, but as many as 15! Recall that on the basis of the relevant ministerial decision of 2020, 129 types of activities are classified as A2.

In fact, the same article of the draft law, which is under public comment, article 30, provides incentives for establishing and locating businesses in business parks. In particular, it is assumed that companies relocating to EP are exempt from income tax on capital gains received from the sale of their real estate and other objects, in an amount corresponding to their relocation costs. If, within 5 years after the move, the company ceases to conduct business activities in the territory of the EaP, it is obliged to return the amount of the tax deduction with the allowances established by law. The amount to be exempted is included in the amount of the state subsidy if the company joins the state aid financial program. In addition, for the types of activities that are installed in the territory where, in accordance with urban planning standards, a change in land use has occurred or, for some reason, their removal is required, the costs of their transfer to E.P. are considered eligible for funding and are subsidized either by the Public Investment Program or European Union programs up to the maximum allowable percentage in accordance with the rules of state aid. These costs include the cost of erecting a new building, building upgrades to an existing building, installation in a new building, replacement of mechanical equipment due to move damage, and the cost of dismantling and reassembling it.

At the same time, however, the government is reportedly taking two steps forward and one step back with the bill under consideration. This is because Article 8 stipulates that EDEAEP (Business Park Development and Management Company) must have full ownership of the entire area that will be created in the OP. and not provided for by the current legislative framework of 55%. This, as noted by the competent authorities, including the Central Association of Hellenic Chambers, is likely to serve as a deterrent to the creation of the EP. and, finally, to continue the development of manufacturing activities without anarchy, in informal industrial concentrations, the only beneficiaries of which are landowners in various areas, such as in Western Attica, or those whose object is real estate.

Some market players knowingly “see” behind this agreement the interests associated with the Oinophyta business park under construction. In other words, not organizing informal meetings in Attica may push several businesses to look for a place in the EaP. Oinophyton.

However, KEEE and the Association of Industrialists of Attica and Piraeus (SVAP) pointed the matter to Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis, and it remains to be seen if the organizations’ objections will be taken into account in the final bill to be voted on in Parliament.

The activity of enterprises of the so-called medium trouble is allowed in the business parks of Attica.

Other important provisions introduced by the bill are the following:

• Ability to characterize an EP as ‘Environmental’ if it is organized and operates in a manner that encourages activities to achieve environmental objectives as measured by key performance indicators in terms of energy use, renewables, raw materials, land water and impact. . on Biodiversity and the Circular Economy.

• In E.P. this can include not only production activities and logistics activities, but also car repair shops, as well as agricultural activities.

• Development of E.P. this can also be done through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

• Authorized to grant to EADEP the use of the coastline and the beach, and the right to develop, use and operate port projects or to expand port facilities already existing in the area.

• Demolition, building and fence demolition procedures are being streamlined, which is estimated to expedite the implementation of the EP, especially where informal industrial concentrations currently exist.