Licensing: SEV continues to work towards the further simplification of licensing procedures and collaborates with public administration to achieve the expected outcomes and ensure a visible reduction in the administrative burden on businesses. At the same time, SEV keeps business associations informed of ongoing changes and their impact on procedures for establishing, modernising, expanding and renewing licences. In this context, the most significant proposals for the current period include the following:

• Rationalisation and modernisation of procedures for the establishment and operation of economic activities not yet covered by the provisions of Law 4442/2016
• Alignment of the Renewable Energy Sources licensing framework with current European legislation (RED III Directive)
• Extension of interoperability and ensuring adequate connectivity with other digital platforms and registries
• Alignment of the national licensing framework with its European counterpart to support and attract new energy activities (e.g. offshore RES and hydrogen technologies for industry)
• Legislative improvements and promotion of the issuance of secondary legislation under Law 2971/2001 to modernise the licensing framework for port facilities serving industrial and related activities
• Evaluation of the implementation and impact of Law 4442/2016 on improving the business environment and business start-up (Ex-post Impact Assessment of Law 4442/2016)
• Investigation of issues arising from the implementation of the new fire protection regulatory framework (Presidential Decree 41/2018) and formulation of resolution proposals

Spatial Planning:

• Preparation of a National Spatial Strategy to better coordinate all policies with spatial impact and to set directions and objectives for spatial organisation and development over the medium and long term
• Evaluation and revision of the Special Spatial Frameworks for Industry (2009), Renewable Energy Sources (2008) and Aquaculture (2011), alongside the preparation of new frameworks (Mineral Raw Materials, Networks and Technical and Administrative Infrastructure Services) to provide modern development guidance and regulations in sectors of national importance
• Preparation of an initial maritime spatial plan and gradual institutionalisation of Maritime Spatial Frameworks
• Ensuring a flexible and modern land use and building conditions framework, adapted to the contemporary needs of productive installations, within the context of Local Urban Planning Schemes
• Modernisation of the Athens-Attica Regulatory Plan to adapt planning to contemporary development and spatial challenges
• Support for structures that accelerate and improve planning effectiveness (including: KESYCHOTHA for conflicts and contradictory provisions across planning levels, YDOM for large investments, and the institution of private evaluators for spatial studies)
• Modernisation of urban regeneration policy and introduction of incentive policies for the reuse of vacant industrial buildings
• Horizontal resolution of land use issues for productive activities making a significant contribution to national economic development
• Integration and specification within spatial policy of a national network for the development of port facilities for industrial and related activities
• Development of the National Geospatial Information Infrastructure (EUGEPI) and activation of the Unified Digital Map to accelerate licensing with legal certainty
• Implementation of the Digital Land Bank and designation of Transfer Coefficient Reception Zones to activate the transfer of building coefficients
• Introduction of a Multi-level Consultation Mechanism to ensure participatory planning

Interconnection of registries and information systems across all stages of a business lifecycle: We systematically promote the continuous improvement of services provided by GEMI to businesses, with particular emphasis on its interconnection with other public registries as well as the registries of commercial banks.

Faster administration of justice: We support the digitalisation of judicial proceedings, electronic case management across all courts and the use of artificial intelligence. We seek to further promote alternative dispute resolution methods and highlight the need for continuous and targeted training of judges on business-related cases.

Simplification of the public procurement framework: We advance proposals for the further simplification of European and national public procurement legislation and the procedures governing it, the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence tools at all stages of tendering procedures, as well as the delivery of continuous training to contracting authorities.

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• Licensing, Spatial Planning & Infrastructure Committee: The Committee serves as the technical advisory body of the SEV Board in the formulation, substantiation and consultation of policy positions and proposals with public administration and other competent authorities. Its objective is to improve the investment environment through the modernisation and simplification of business start-up and operating procedures, the advancement of proposals to reduce administrative burdens and licensing costs, as well as the prompt integration of all technological and related developments into the relevant procedures. In this context, the Committee records, monitors and evaluates the implementation of legislative initiatives, promotes the alignment of the national framework with European best practices and contributes to the coordination of policies to resolve sector-specific licensing issues (in collaboration with the relevant SEV Committees and the SEV Council for Sustainable Development). Particular emphasis is placed on the role of infrastructure and transport in the productive functioning of the economy. The Committee elaborates proposals for the development and interconnection of transport infrastructure, logistics networks and the country’s trade gateways, with the aim of ensuring the efficient flow of goods between industrial clusters, distribution centres (B2B and B2C), ports and international transport networks.
• Market Operation & Consumer Committee: The Committee serves as the technical advisory body of the SEV Board in the formulation, substantiation and consultation of policy positions and proposals with public administration or other competent authorities, on matters relating to Consumer Protection, Competition, Market Surveillance, Quality Policy and Public Procurement.