02/10/2017
Greek economic adjustment strategy under the MoU is clearly geared to growth through lower taxes and investment levies, accompanied by measures to encourage innovation. However, Greek Government policy and legislation is going entirely in the opposite direction. Following the problems with Hellinikon investment deal, which has been dogged by delays, a new transport bill has been tabled that will restrict the operation of ‘Taxibeat’ (now ‘Beat’), an innovative Greek start-up platform, forcing it to operate as a traditional ‘transport company’, obliging it to conclude contracts of at least three years with owners and drivers and pay various different taxes.
In view of this:
— What is the Commission’s position regarding the operation of platforms such as Taxibeat? Does it consider that they should be regarded as transport companies under EC law?
— If all innovatory ventures such as Taxibeat are forced to comply with the legal and tax provisions applicable to traditional firms, will this act as an incentive or a deterrent to innovative business initiatives?
— What view does the Commission take of the government bill recently tabled before the Greek Parliament?
