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In statements after the meeting, the AKEL Secretary General said that with the meeting they wanted to emphasise the great importance they attach to small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the economy on the one hand and employ thousands of workers on the other.
He said that the meeting aimed to discuss the many and multiple problems of small and medium-sized enterprises, which have become even more pressing and have increased due to the pandemic.
Stefanou said that in order to address the problems, a comprehensive policy for small and medium-sized enterprises is needed and, above all, political will from the executive, from the government. "It is our belief that this political will from the Government does not exist, on the contrary, actions are being taken and practices are being followed by this Government that serve big interests at the expense of small and medium enterprises," he said.
He added that the way of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in a targeted way should be examined, with AKEL having tabled specific proposals on how this can be achieved.
Stefanou then said that they also discussed the problem of shop opening hours and the bad practices of banks, which puts a lot of pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises. He noted that on the issue of banks, AKEL has submitted proposals and passed legislation that unfortunately has been referred and then referred by the government to the Supreme Court.
He added that there is also a big problem with rents and evictions, problems arising from the high cost of energy. "For all these problems AKEL has submitted specific proposals and will continue to work inside and outside Parliament to provide solutions," he said and reiterated that first of all the government needs to act to solve the problems.
Stefanou also said that through the meeting it was established that AKEL is on the same line with POVEK and small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, they have identical views, which makes it easier for the party to put forward proposals that will solve the many problems faced by small and medium-sized businesses.
Asked about the mobilisations announced by AKEL for 26 February, Mr Stefanou explained that these mobilisations concern precision, which unfortunately the government does not seem to understand or even recognise. He said that accuracy also exists in basic necessities, energy, the price of fuel and the price of electricity. He however acknowledged that the accuracy is partly due to exogenous factors and the increase in prices of basic raw materials and fuel itself.
On the other hand, he continued, there is also responsibility by the Government for the increases, especially in fuel and electricity as over the years it has done nothing to enable us to deal today with the situation prevailing internationally. The government has not managed to bring natural gas to Cyprus for power generation purposes, so we are paying many millions, about 120 million a year in pollutants, an amount that is passed on to the bills of citizens and businesses.
"And for this we have made specific proposals. Unfortunately we are facing the government's refusal. When we are dealing with the banks, the government brings bills to Parliament at the speed of light to help the banks; when it comes to helping households and small and medium-sized enterprises, the government puts forward various excuses," he said, noting that through various events next Saturday at provincial level, AKEL wants to mobilise society to put pressure on the government to take measures to relieve consumers and households.
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