ATHENS — Every economic initiative in Greece from tax incentives, easier access to funding and the digitization of the state "are directly linked to issues in the exports sector," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday, speaking at the 45th General Assembly of the Greek Exporters Association (SEVE).

The prime minister also announced a new bill to follow "which will settle private debt, settle problematic business formations and present a 'second chance' to anyone assuming the risk of a business plan."

A national strategic plan for extroversion he noted will include 85 actions. "Our target is clear: The current ratio of exports in GDP must rise from the current 38 pct to the European average of 48 pct by the end of four years and the ratio of industrial production rise from the current 9.5 pct to 12 pct, along with the doubling of foreign investments by 2023," he said.

Exports must increase in sectors beyond the petroleum products, and services go beyond tourism and shipping to include sectors like quality wines, new technologies and creative industry. "Greece must see changes as great as those first post-WWII decades," he stressed, "with very fast growth rates, full employment, national prosperity and personal success."