On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Institute for Fiscal and Economic Studies (IFES) hosted its inaugural event at the Athens Conservatoire, marking the beginning of its mission as a new think tank dedicated to addressing Greece’s fiscal and economic challenges.

The event brought together over 150 distinguished guests from political, business, and academic circles, showcasing IFES’s vision and objectives. With a focus on advancing evidence-based economic policies and promoting economic literacy, the evening set the stage for the Institute’s ambitious future.

A Dynamic Evening of Insights and Dialogues

The event was expertly moderated by journalist Sophia Rodopoulou, who ensured a vibrant and engaging atmosphere throughout the evening.

Key Presentations and Remarks:

Alona Tatarova, Executive Director of IFES, presented the Institute’s vision and upcoming initiatives. She emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between scientific analysis and policymaking, advocating for collaboration among politicians, businesses, and citizens to drive essential reforms.

Tasos Avrantinis, President of IFES, outlined the Institute’s mission to introduce practical solutions for Greece’s economic challenges. “Our goal is to deliver actionable solutions that address and overcome the structural deficiencies of the Greek economy,” he stated.

Alexander Skouras, Vice President of IFES, highlighted the innovative approaches IFES plans to adopt in reshaping fiscal and economic dialogue in Greece. “Our efforts extend beyond policy proposals to actively engaging society in discussions on economic reforms,” he noted.

Katerina Savvaidou, Co-founder of IFES, underscored the need for enhancing economic knowledge in Greece. Drawing on her experience in fiscal law education, she emphasized that improving public understanding of economic issues is vital for fostering transparency and accountability in governance.

Professor George Bitros, Chair of the IFES Academic Council, presented the Institute’s strategic goals, including reducing public spending below 40% of GDP to boost economic freedom and accelerate investment. He stressed the necessity of economic literacy for the younger generation to achieve sustainable growth and resource efficiency.

Contributions from Distinguished Guests

Several notable figures extended their support:

• Panagiotis Pikrammenos, former interim Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline in preventing economic derailments.
• Christos Dimas, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, acknowledged IFES’s role in informing public discourse on fiscal policy.
• Panagiotis Liargovas, Chairman of The Centre of Planning and Economic Research, KEPE, recognized the critical timing of IFES’s establishment in addressing Greece’s economic challenges.

Unveiling the “Greeks and the Economy” Survey

The event also featured the unveiling of initial findings from the survey “Greeks and the Economy,” presented by Tasos Avrantinis and Antonis Papargyris, Research Director at GPO. The survey provided insights into public perceptions and knowledge of economic issues, and its comprehensive results will soon be made publicly available.

Gratitude and Recognition

IFES expressed its gratitude to pianist Stavros Prentzas, photographer Vaggelis Gikopoulos, Streamia.gr for event coverage, and Spotlight for technical support, whose contributions ensured the evening’s success.

The strong attendance and enthusiastic engagement demonstrated widespread support for IFES’s mission to foster economic reforms, inspire innovation, and drive Greece toward a prosperous future.