Federation of Hellenic Information Technology & Communications Enterprises

Greece's left-led government will reconsider a controversial decision to impose a one-off 2 percent levy on electronic appliances such as smartphones, tablets and computers, Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas has said.

The levy,  included in an amendment tabled in Parliament Tuesday, is in favor of copyright holders.

The hi-tech market's worst fears proved true on Tuesday, as the government tabled an amendment in Parliament which foresees the imposition of a one-off 2 percent levy on electronic appliances, such as smartphones, tablets and computers, in favor of copyright holders.

Conservative opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday vowed to scrap the Ministry of Digital Policy, currently led by SYRIZA's Nikos Pappas, when New Democracy comes to power, accusing the leftist-led government of undermining the progress of Greece's digital technology sector which includes 8,000 businesses that contribute 8 percent to gross domestic product.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has vowed to digitally reform and transform the Greek state when he comes to power.

The latest generation of businesses in Greece are making increasing use of new technology, as the annual report by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) has found that two in every 10 new entrepreneurs (19.5 percent) state they use new technologies in their production process or in the provision of services.