Kefalogianni Tells Food Service Sector To Lower Prices, Issue Receipts

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni on 18 July said the best way for the food service sector to respond to the recent reduction of the VAT rate is to cut prices and issue receipts.

After many discussions between the Greek Government and the country’s international lenders, on 17 July Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced that the VAT imposed on Greek restaurants, hotel restaurants, cafeterias and bars will be reduced from 23 percent to 13 percent as of 1 August 2013.

However, the measure will initially be implemented for four to six months, until it becomes clear whether the VAT cut will show results or not. For results to be shown, businessmen must lower their prices and issue receipts regularly.

While speaking to the media, Mrs. Kefalogianni stressed that the food service sector should take advantage of this opportunity and pave the way for the measure to become permanent.

“It is up to the businessmen to make use of this measure with a sense of responsibility and growth potential,” the tourism minister said.