Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-11-06
CONTENTS
[01] EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn: Regions must focus on 'smart
specialization'
[01] EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn: Regions must focus on 'smart
specialization'
EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn stressed the need for
"smart specialisation" at a press conference in Ioannina on Tuesday.
Hahn, who is paying a two-day visit to the northwestern Greek city
of Ioannina, met with manufacturing organizations and the prefect of
Epirus Alexandros Kachrimanis. The visit is part of a tour of several
Greek cities to promote information on better absorption of the new EU
structural funds for 2014-2020.
"Our goal is to promote the economy, and the investment plans of the
prefectures should reflect that goal", Hahn said. "What we ask from
the prefectures is to follow a strategy for 'smart specialization',
which can lead to programmes for tourism, agricultural food sector,
even health," he added.
The EU Commissioner also stressed the need for infrastructural works
and proper use of funds for better results.
According to the Commissioner, EU is planning to double the funds,
from 70 billion to at least 140 billion, for the period 2014-2020,
in order to boost the economy in the prefectures.
At a seperate event in Corfu late on Monday, the Commissioner stressed
the need for "developing an entrepreneurial spirit, proposing solutions
to ensure the creditworthiness of businesses, and finding alternative
ways of management, aimed at economic recovery and fighting unemployment."
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