Municipality of Thasos: Resolution on VAT reduction and infrastructure strengthening
Source: Tornos News
The Municipality of Thasos proceeded to issue a resolution, with a focus on VAT reduction and the implementation of critical infrastructure projects. The discussion took place on the occasion of the proposal of the president of the municipal council, who extensively presented the position of the Municipal Authority on how the issue should be addressed, not only locally, but also at the national level.
The president’s proposal follows:
“Recently, we have witnessed a discussion about the unequal treatment of Thasos on the issue of VAT and its exemption from the measures announced by the Prime Minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair a few days ago. However, starting from reality, let us admit that the measure in question concerned border islands. And the reasons for its enactment and implementation are different from our own needs.
Similarly, Thassos is NOT a border island. Similarly, Thassos is not Lesbos with the existence of structures and immigrants. Similarly, Thassos is not Samothrace with vital problems in maritime transport. Similarly, Thassos is not Chalki, Tilos and Nisyros. And none of the above islands can be considered a main competitor of Thassos despite the unique beauties that each of them possesses in particular. Thassos is an island with rapid tourist development in recent years, with a sharp increase in construction activity and with over 1,000,000 visitors. Accuracy, of course, is an issue that concerns us all and for this reason we propose that the VAT on fuel, food and basic necessities be reduced by at least 50% throughout the country.
Then, it is possible that the consumer, the ordinary citizen, will be able to see a substantial change in the prices of the above products. In Thassos, a lot has been done and is significant in recent years. However, Thassos still needs a lot. It needs a coherent roadmap with specific goals. It needs funds to upgrade its infrastructure. It needs collective work with responsibility and seriousness. The Municipality Administration calls on the Municipal Council to make a decision and send a resolution to the Central Government requesting:
-Reduction of VAT on fuel, food and basic necessities by at least 50% throughout the country, and especially on all the islands.
-Acceleration of the approval procedures for financing infrastructure projects of the Municipality of Thassos (school buildings, biological Prinos, restoration of damage to the port of Limenas of Thassos).
-Approval of an increased number of permanent staff in the Municipality of Thassos.
-Establishment of a tax scale with tax rates that will increase the income of the professional, effectively eliminating any tax evasion.
-Immediate construction of residences for employees by the State on plots that will be granted, exclusively and only for this purpose, by the Municipality of Thassos.
-Immediate construction of residences for young couples by the State on plots that will be granted, exclusively and only for this purpose, by the Municipality of Thassos.
-Funding of the Municipality of Thassos for the preparation of studies for Local Urban Planning.
-Dramatic reduction of VAT in tourism and transport in order to make Greece’s tourism product more competitive, in line with the positions and proposals of SETE and POX.
Thassos is at a critical crossroads. We have an obligation to choose the right path. And this is achieved with political discourse and solutions that are in line with the needs of society. We do not have the luxury of introversion and complacency. We are all required to function together as one fist with collective and not individual efforts. The Municipality Administration, with society at our side, will continue to work responsibly, without discrimination, without exceptions, with a plan and program for a better Thassos for all.”
The original article: belongs to Tornos News .
