Greece is now mature and attractive for investment

Greece constitutes a mature, stable and attractive investment opportunity for the coming years, emphasised Thodoris Tzouros, Executive General Manager, Chief of Corporate and Investment Banking at Piraeus Bank, during a discussion held at the Delphi Paris Forum III.

In a talk on the topic “Economic and business relations between France and Greece: opportunities in a new era”, Tzouros referred to the traditional relations between the two countries as well as the clear strengthening of the investment relationship between France and Greece over the last years.

The sectors with a strong investment footprint of French companies include renewable energy sources, infrastructure (highways and water management) and the financial sector, with French banks playing an active role in financing Greek shipping.

He added that it is extremely important that we have seen Greek companies increase their extroversion lately and are now entering France dynamically (recent acquisition of Titan and expression of interest by Metlen for the acquisition of an aluminum factory).

Franco-Greek cooperation is already at high levels, Tzouros pointed out, and underlined that it could be significantly strengthened with:

• investments of greater added value, especially in industry and technology,
• strengthening defence industrial cooperation, with Greek companies actively participating as subcontractors of French groups,
• utilisation of Greek shipyards for specialised constructions.

In addition, the head of Piraeus’ Corporate & Investment Banking highlighted the progress made by the Greek economy, calling it one of the most impressive “turnaround stories” in Europe in the last decade.

“With stable public finances, a healthy banking system and an investment-oriented government, the country is on a strong growth trajectory. At the same time, it has excellent human capital, significant prospects in digital transformation, a key role as an energy hub in Southeastern Europe and a rapidly growing innovation and start-up ecosystem,” he stressed.