The central growth target of the region of Thessaly is the
strengthening of the competitiveness of the productive sectors by emphasizing
quality, continuous productivity and interregional and social cohesion,
as well as, increasing employment by achieving a high level of training.
The growth strategy of Thessaly can be summed
up within three basic strategic solutions: increasing
viable growth, searching for quality elements
in both economic activities and everyday living conditions and strengthening
employment. According to the above strategic targets, the following
measures have to be taken to increase growth in Thessaly:
Development of Thessaly into a composite network hub-
The target is the utilization of the relative geographic advantage of
the region through the development of transportation, communication,
energy and business networks.
Position the production sectors towards the market-
The target is the improvement of the competitiveness of the production
sectors, especially the extroverted by improving the quality of the
methods, services and products. A basic component of this target is
the increase of the extroverted innovative sectors in the productive
basis of the region.
Sustaining the balance of the productive basis-
The target is to sustain the multiplicity of the sectors of the productive
base through supporting investments in all sectors and increasing the
productiveness and viability of the businesses.
Balanced interregional development-
The target is the improvement of interregional cohesion and the endorsement
of special activities which are adapted to the characteristics of the
regions or zones with development problems.
Support of the environmental dimension of development-
The target is the restructuring of the growth model so that there is
an organic and two-way connection between economic growth and protection
of the natural and social landscape.
Development of human resources-
The target is the improvement of the adaptability of human resources
to market needs, as well as, the development and strengthening of the
employability of people and social cohesion.
The strategic development of the region is expressed
through the execution of the Regional Operational
Program of Thessaly for the years 2000-2006 which seeks to attain
the following targets:
The development of the relative advantage of the centralized geographic
position of the region and its advancement to a "network hub."
The restructuring and modernization of the productive sectors with
an emphasis on quality and competitiveness.
The reinforcement of introverted and continuously productive growth
and social cohesion.
The targets of each productive sector are the following:
In the primary sector
Development of mountainous and underdeveloped areas of the region
Development of alternative and complementary activities for the primary sector
Modernization of the agricultural sector and its adaptation to market needs
Improvement of the productivity and competitiveness of the sector
Improvement of the quality of products
Development of special local characteristics and the growth of traditional products
Improvement of processing and commercial structures of agricultural products
Protection of natural resources and the agricultural environment
Processing and Small Medium-Sized Businesses (Secondary
sector)
Development of a new strengthened local business environment
Improvement of the competitiveness of the sector
Reinforcement and vertical integration of production sectors through the use of new technological innovations and the "Society of Communication"
Development of a partnership network
Completion and development of support structures for the productive environment
Creation of cutting-edge technological small medium-sized businesses
Reinforcement of the extroverted businesses of the region
Tertiary Sector
Development of a support service network for small medium-sized businesses
Interconnection of research and production
Improvement of the quality of tourist products - development of alternative
forms of tourism - development of natural and social resources for
tourism
