An innovative project aspiring to tackle red tape and corruption in business start-ups was introduced yesterday (17.02) by Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis in the presence of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. According to the new draft law on the "simplification of business licensing procedures" to be voted on by the end of April, companies will be able to start operating in one day - following a simple statement to the tax office and the General Commerce Register via an online portal.

The bill changes the entire philosophy of business licensing in Greece, reducing red-tape and cost and transferring all state controls and monitoring following the business start-up.

See also: Ministry of Development & Competiveness: Press release (Greek); europa.eu: Business Start-ups: Greece; www.eu-go.gr: Guide for service provisioning in Greece