2024-04-15 19:43:12
Behind the fiscal stability, the Deputy Minister of Finance Haris Theoharis hid in the topical question of Giorgos Nikitiadis Member of Parliament for Dodecanese and head of the KTE Development of the PASOK Movement for Change regarding the economic suffocation of Kalymnos, as a result of the selective return of the reduced VAT rates to only five islands of the eastern Aegean. In fact, Mr. Nikitiadis asked for the measure to be re-evaluated. The discussion of the topical question took place on the evening of Monday, April 15.
As Mr. Nikitiadis pointed out to Deputy Minister Mr. Theoharis, the Government follows the Machiavellian tactic that says “the end justifies the means” as after the abolition of the reduced VAT rates in the Dodecanese by the then SYRIZA-ANEL Government, the ND partially reinstated the specific measure only for Leros and Kos on the condition of hosting migrant reception centers. However, as Mr. Nikitiadis pointed out, no one did any study in the wider geographical area to notice how Kalymnos, which is in between, could suffer the economic consequences of this policy. On a daily basis there is a transfer of consumers from Kalymnos to Kos and Leros, with the result that the market of Kalymnos has found itself in a particularly difficult position, the flight of young people abroad continues and there are no incentives for new investments.
During his presentation, Mr. Nikitiadis also emphasized that there should be initiatives with long-term investment incentives in order to develop the economy of Kalymnos. Enumerating the comparative advantages of the island, Mr. Nikitiadis referred to the alternative forms of tourism in which Kalymnos pioneers, such as climbing, religious, diving and walking tourism, and which should be supported. In fact, as noted by the Dodecanese Member of Parliament, the island of Kalymnos contributes the most to dealing with the demographic situation as, despite the difficulties, it has the most large families and today has 17,500 inhabitants and over 30,000 immigrants abroad who regularly visit the island, characteristically saying “The Kalymnos they are heroes. Eternally in love with our homeland and their island. Let us not injure this love.’
It is worth noting that Mr. Theoharis requested proposals from Mr. Nikitiadis for the development of the island and received the commitment that he will have them shortly.