On October 3, the Ministry of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks unveiled a package of actions and measures aimed at speeding up and simplifying procedures in order to attract strategic and private investments. The plan, which aims at improving the business environment in the country, was presented by Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Deputy Minister Notis Mitarakis, and is now available for public consultation before being submitted to Parliament.

The bill foresees, among other things, the application of the one-stop shop model to strategic investments to accelerate the licensing process, the application of the "first licensing, then monitoring" principle -except in cases where there are environmental and zoning concerns,- and provisions for launching hydroplane services to various destinations, primarily the islands.

In addition, the bill plans on the creation a special purpose company (SPV) for the development of the coastline stretching from the southern Athens district of Faliro to Sounio. Ministry of Development: Press Release & Invest in Greece: Draft Bill (in Greek)