Making state firms flexible

National Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis is planning changes to the public companies of the Superfund to make them modern and competitive, with interventions on three fronts: administration, procurement and recruitment.

As he explained to his entourage, what the Superfund companies need is to have a leadership team with knowledge and qualifications, as was done at Public Power Corporation (PPC) and as is now being done at Hellenic Post (ELTA). He adds that state companies further require flexibility, speed and efficiency in procurement so that needs can be met, from the smallest to the biggest. They also need flexibility in hiring to meet needs, overcoming the inflexibility of the ASEP process for public sector hirings.

"We want to create 'small PPCs' with the aim of business flexibility and combating bad practices that prevent their further development...