Greece To Scrap 200 Market Regulations To Lower Prices

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Greece's Ministry of Development, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks announced that it plans to scrap more than two hundred out-dated market regulations, reducing them from a current 363 to just 144, in the framework of slashing the administrative burden on businesses that it hopes will lead to a reduction in prices of products and services.

In a joint press conference with the Health Ministry, Deputy Development Minister Athanassios Skordas told reporters that many of the market regulations being abolished were outdated and had been "overtaken" by developments, while others created 'protected markets' that drove up prices.

Among the changes is a reduction in the weight allowance for packaging materials that is expected to a 1 percent reduction in prices, changes in rules for the sale of firewood (by volume instead of by weight), analytical display of final prices in receipts and menus to include V.A.T. (Value Added Tax) and other costs and a ban on offering customers any good or service they have not specifically ordered (bottled water, etc).

The new rules also scrap restrictions on the sale of certain categories of foods by shops based on building coverage and other restrictions and obligations, such as that requiring bakeries to hold salt reserves or operate ovens for cooking food and others.

Concerning measures to restrict fuel scams, Skordas said that the technical specifications for a system to check inflows and outflows will be announced next week, while tighter restrictions on pump sealing will be imposed. (AMNA)