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The Epirus part |
 The
region of Epirus participates in the following three (3) themes
of the project:
- TRANSPORT
& MOBILITY: (partner responsible - University of Ioannina)
- ECO - TOURISM:
(partner responsible - Epirus S.A.)
- INSTRUMENTS
OF FINANCE: (partner responsible - BIC of Epirus)
1. TRANSPORT
& MOBILITY
Due to its special geographical position, the region of Epirus is
of critical importance for the unhindered transportation (of goods
and passengers etc.) on the west-Eastern axis. Epirus is one of
the junctions places for the whole Greece.
It is obvious that with this realization of large-scale projects
of combined transportation, Epirus will play critical role in Greece.
The actions of European Community for the modernization of transportation
in the European, and especially in the wide Balkan region consists
a nice coincidence, in this period of the finestra implementation.
The work in the finestra project will focus on the European Community
transport policy, in connection with the inter-connected networks,
and the development of inter-connecting transportation through the
region. Also special attention will be given to the research and
development in less environmental polluting and safer transportation
means which could be used in the region.
The working
group of transport and mobility includes the regions of Umbria,
Vale do Ave, South Ireland as well (Umbria is the "leading partner")
2. ECO
- TOURISM
Eco tourism is the sector of activity with the highest potentials
for development and growth in the region of Epirus. In the 3rd regional
structural fund (3rd S.F.), currently in the final stage of approval,
alternative tourism is one of the primary objectives for development
and growth.
The region combines unique landscape, traditional life, architect,
as well as beautiful, and historical places to visit, and an unpolluted
environment. Epirus, the land of bridges, offers great opportunities
for all kinds of alternative tourism activities. The basic infrastructure,
the telecommunication network, and the unexplored history and tradition
are the existing conditions on which alternative tourism is currently
in the first developing stages.
The working
group of tourism includes the regions of Vale do Ave, and South
Ireland as well (Vale Do Ave is the "leading partner").
3. INSTRUMENTS
OF FINANCE
The
SMEs funding programs of the 2nd structural fund included some disadvantages
for the regional companies. As an example, the regulation, which
prohibited grants and incentives to SMEs, which had gross sales
or number of employees less than a certain threshold, was a drawback
for the region's development. Through the Finestra project an effort
should be made to investigate "alternative incentive programs" which
will allow effective co funding of innovative actions for the regional
SMEs. The experience and the know how of the other regions will
be very helpful in this effort. The suggested measures and actions
will be implemented through the 3rd structural fund, which will
be in the implementation phase during the next 6 years.
The working
group of instruments of finance includes all partners of the project,
with Europrogetti & Finanza the leading partner.
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