Eureka! Institutional Repository

The role played by the Athens Stock Exchange during its first centenary, was clearly defined and influenced by the whole course and state in which was the National Economy. Besides, this was due to happen since the possibilities and the conditions for it to have an active appearance in the financial stage of the country were limited and the chances to reach its goals and objectives were insignificant. Apart from these difficulties have also affected the policy of applying, until few years ago, high interest rates, high taxes on profits, the policy of state intervention, the distorted confrontation of specific issues that businesses concern like the anti-developmental policy of depreciation of fixed assets. These difficulties forced the Athens Stock Exchange to move in almost non-existent pace until recently. The opportunities for it to have an active presence in the financial affairs of the country were limited because the Industrial Revolution reached our country with a very long delay, the businesses had also a strict family character and the political situation did not provide the possibility for a peaceful climate to exist, thus existing permanently the thought of uncertainty. Today of course, we have got the 124 years of life of the Athens Exchange Stock, circumstances an conditions change. Today, it has been realised that the Stock Exchange in our country must be asked to play its historical role in our economy, and efforts are made to be modernised and organised. The start for it became when the Law 1806/88 was voted. This fact opens the horizons of a new beginning, a new course, which will become the reason for its internationalisation within the European Union certainly.