The Association of Greek Textile Industries (SEVK) has identified high energy costs, lack of strategic planning to support production and imports of textile products from countries with cheap labour as the reasons why the country's textile sector has taken a hit. The association has presented various proposals to tackle the issue of high energy costs.
High energy costs affecting Greek's textile sector was the agenda of the meeting held between SEVK and George Stathakis, environment and energy minister of the country. The memorandum presented by SEVK describes the Greek textile industry's position and made some other recommendations to revive the sector to help the country's economy.
Regarding the issue of high energy costs, the association has suggested that high-voltage and low-voltage charges should be harmonised, new directives should be introduced on state support for energy and environment and a strict timetable to regulate the domestic electricity market to the requirements of an EU target model.
The association also said that the government has not made any concrete plans to support the textile industry in the last 15 years. Imports from countries with low labour wages and energy costs have also increased, causing Greek textile manufacturing industries to close down and resulting in higher unemployment. Industrial activity in Greece has reduced by 70 to 80 per cent since 1980, according to SEVK. (KD)