Three initiatives aimed at facilitating citizens and businesses in their dealings with the public sector are currently underway, noted the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking at the event of the Ilia Chamber of Commerce for the new year and the awarding of business prizes, which took place yesterday, Sunday, in Pyrgos.

In addition to the bill addressing 14 “stories of everyday madness” that Mr. Hatzidakis presented last week, the following are also moving forward:

• The simplification or abolition of more than 4,000 procedures concerning relations between the state and citizens and businesses. These procedures have been recorded on the digital platform MITOS. Simplification will proceed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and under the coordination of the Vice President of the Government as well.
• Further reduction of the administrative burden for businesses through simplification of operating and licensing procedures. A relevant bill from the Ministry of Development will soon be submitted to Parliament for a vote.

Referring to local issues, Mr. Hatzidakis emphasized that work has begun on the preparatory studies for the Pyrgos–Kalo Nero–Tsakona axis, noting that “this is something we are taking very seriously.” At the same time, following the concession by ETAD of the tourist property Xenios Zeus to the Municipality of Ancient Olympia to create an International Cultural Center, plans are being drawn up for the utilization of ETAD’s real estate assets in Kaiafas to strengthen local development with respect for the environment.

Also moving forward are:

• The comprehensive restoration of the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia.
• The tender by the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP) for a concession contract for the port of Katakolo, so that it becomes a major tourist port of Western Greece, further upgrading tourism in Ancient Olympia and across Ilia.
• Upgrades and renovations at the hospitals of Pyrgos and Amaliada and the Health Centers in the municipalities of Ilia.
• The restoration and promotion of the Temple of Epicurean Apollo.
• Major urban regeneration projects in the center of Pyrgos and other cities.

Mr. Hatzidakis made special reference to the new Patras–Pyrgos road axis. “This project,” he said, “went through many ups and downs. But it is now a reality. It can be used by the people of Ilia, by tourists, and by every visitor to Ilia. And it certainly contributes to the further development of the region. It was a long-standing demand of the people of Ilia, and I am pleased that it has recently become a reality, strengthening road safety and reducing transportation costs.”

Regarding waste management, he also stressed:
“I am glad that, as Minister of Development 12 years ago, I put my signature on the Public–Private Partnership for the integrated management of waste here in Ilia. This became possible thanks to your open and progressive spirit, because you were among the first regions in Greece to move in this direction. Now others are trying to deal with the issue of uncontrolled waste management, while you have moved on to a modern European reality with a facility that will also be upgraded into a recycling plant.”

Furthermore, he underlined the importance of the agricultural sector, as Ilia is the prefecture with the highest contribution of the primary sector to local GDP (23.5%). “In March, payments will be made under the program for young farmers, while at the same time the greenhouse program is running, and the competent ministry estimates that, provided the conditions are met, all applications submitted from the Region of Western Greece will be covered,” he said.

In the government’s planning for 2026, as noted by the Vice President of the Government, are further tax cuts to be announced in September at the Thessaloniki International Fair, acceleration of the delivery of justice, the establishment of special spatial planning frameworks for tourism, renewable energy sources, and industry, and the strengthening of the extroversion and liquidity of small and medium-sized enterprises.

“The region of Ilia,” Mr. Hatzidakis concluded, “has many comparative advantages for development. The state must encourage citizens to turn their plans into reality—not maintain a bureaucratic presence everywhere, nor pretend to be an entrepreneur. We must leave you free to create by reducing your burdens as much as possible, tax-related and otherwise, ensuring conditions of stability and creating a modern European framework. Ilia has taken steps forward, Western Greece has taken steps forward, and our country has taken steps forward. With a broad national alliance, we can reinforce these steps and raise our country even higher.”