Tourism: challenges and priorities outlined by PM George Papandreou

Addressing the 19th General Assembly of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) on 4th May, Prime Minister George Papandreou outlined the priorities, the goals and the successes of the government policy in tourism sector and the promotion of Greece abroad. Papandreou focused on the simplification of the licensing process in tourist investments, stressing that tourism should be one of the basic pillars for boosting the Greek economy.
“In the coming months there will be a licensing simplification in investments and facilitation of visa issuing for nationals of emerging economies such as China and Russia. […] There will also be a reduction in the prices of sea transport tickets, as well as in landing and take-off fees at several airports,” said Papandreou noting that the tourism industry has been reporting positive signs as what is being offered is quality service at good prices.
Referring to the enormous potential of Internet and social networking, Papandreou hailed the online promotion of Greece via the official site of Visit Greece, the newly launched my-greece.gr, and through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
Prime Minister.GR: Tourism policy – Results (in Greek); YouTube: You in Greece Campaign [VIDEO]
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

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New era in Greek-Turkish relations

High Level Cooperation

Premier George Papandreou and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan expressed their will to take important steps towards the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations, as the Turkish leader wrapped up an official visit to Athens on Saturday.
This was sealed with the opening session of the Greece-Turkey High Level Cooperation Council and the signing of 21 agreements.
George Papandreou met with the chiefs of Turkish media, while Erdogan with the chiefs of the Greek newspapers.
The Greek premier told Turkish journalists that Erdogan’s visit heralds a new era in Greek-Turkish relations, further adding that the two sides had better overcome their differences. He also touched on economic cooperation between Athens and Ankara.

“We have an agreement”

Twenty-one cooperation agreements in fields as diverse as technology and tourism were signed during the Turkey-Greece High Level Cooperation Council.
Ministers signed agreements boosting trade, investments and shipping and the two countries will hereby extend their cooperation in projects concerning infrastructure works and transnational transport networks.
Relations between the two countries in the field of immigration will be governed by a bilateral agreement which provides for readmission of illegal immigrant flows to Turkey and cooperation in the fight against organized crime, trafficking and civil protection.
Both sides agreed to improve tourism cooperation, aiming at increasing their market share in countries with economic potential such as China, as well as raising global awareness on matters of cultural heritage protection.

Special attention was given to education and synergies concerning research. Environment protection and joint ventures in energy projects including renewable energy sources and the existing Turkey- Greece-Italy gas pipeline were also sealed with respective deals.
In terms of strengthening bilateral ties,  a Joint Political Declaration on the establishment of the High Level Cooperation Council as well as a Protocol on regular political consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries were signed.

Signing the Olympic Truce

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded on Saturday his landmark visit to Athens by signing the Olympic Truce initiative.

At a brief ceremony in front of the imposing Panathenaic Stadium, Erdogan referred to the “great honour in signing my name in this book; to put my signature for a world of peace.”
Papandreou said that Turkey’s support for the idea sends out a clear message “by Turkey and Greece to the world,” adding that Greece will actively support Istanbul’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

Greece: Foreign Capital Inflows Up

Creating a Trustworthy Market

Foreign capital inflows in Greece grew by 40.5%, (€6.48 billion) with net inflows soaring by 147.8% (€3.47 billion), in 2008, compared with the previous year, Invest in Greece Agency – the Hellenic investment promotion body – announced yesterday.  Citing figures on Foreign Direct Investments in Greece, published by the Bank of Greece, the Agency said this positive development – amidst an unprecedented international financial crisis – was evidence of foreign investors’ trust towards the Greek market (mainly from the EU and US).

I.T. Is “The Key”

Meeting with Israeli and British businesspeople, Invest in Greece Agency presented Greece’s comparative advantages in the field of advanced technologies such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) systems.  Both in Israel and United Kingdom, the agency provided information on the advantages deriving from a possible expansion of major technology companies’ business activities in Greece. The Greek ICT sector offers highly skilled human capital and geographic proximity to the markets of Southeast Europe and East Mediterranean , elements which can accommodate the growing need for alternative R&D investment locations around the globe, given the fact the ICT sector still offers considerable room for growth, profit margins and projects of high added value.  See also: Business Works: Greece: the economic hub of the region

74th Thessaloniki International Fair

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The 74th Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF) begins on September 5 and continues until September 13. The Fair constitutes a forum vested with economic and political significance for the country, as traditionally, the Prime Minister and the leaders of major political parties address the event, heralding their intentions regarding the coming year.  Investments are the focus of the 74th TIF:  International state agencies, banks and investment organizations will inform visitors on investment opportunities around the globe. There will also be a possibility – through the Expo Partenariat programme organized by TIF- for prearranged business meetings between exhibitors and representatives from professional agencies. Moreover, immediately after the 74th TIF, a dynamic online investment market will begin operating at www.afterexpomarket.gr, providing all exhibitors and trade visitors with the opportunity to follow up on and extend their investment contacts throughout the year.   This year’s honoured country is India. Visitors to the74th TIF will have the opportunity to become acquainted with this exotic country, its magic, flavours and colours, as well as its cultural and entrepreneurial aspects. Distinguished Indian economists will be analyzing the phenomenon of ultra-fast development of Indian economy at TIF’s Business Forum, while a full range of parallel events have been planned, such as an Indian Film Festival and an Indian Food Festival, music and dance events. Secretariat General of Information, About Brand Greece: Thessaloniki, an emerging regional hub in the Balkans ; Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral relations Greece-India

Χρυσές δουλειές για Έλληνες κατασκευαστές στην Πολωνία

(TA NEA-ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΘΗΚΕ: Τετάρτη 19 Αυγούστου 2009) Σε πόλο έλξης για ελληνικούς κατασκευαστικούς ομίλους έχει αναδειχθεί τον τελευταίο καιρό η μεγάλη και «υγιής»- όπως διαβεβαιώνουν διεθνείς οργανισμοί- αγορά της Πολωνίας. Πρώτος ο όμιλος J&Ρ Άβαξ έσπευσε να εκμεταλλευτεί τις επενδυτικές ευκαιρίες που παρουσιάζει η πολωνική αγορά, ενώ παρόντες σε αυτήν είναι ήδη οι όμιλοι ΓΕΚ-Τέρνα, Ιντρακάτ και κάποιες άλλες εταιρείες που δεν είναι κατασκευαστικές, αλλά αποφάσισαν να δραστηριοποιηθούν στην αγορά ακινήτων της ανατολικοευρωπαϊκής χώρας. Πρόκειται για την εταιρεία Αlpha Grissin και την αλυσίδα έτοιμων ενδυμάτων Βάρδας. Τις προοπτικές ανάπτυξης που παρουσιάζει ο κατασκευαστικός κλάδος της Πολωνίας, και ειδικά ο τομέας των υποδομών, έσπευσε να εκμεταλλευτεί και η εταιρεία Σωληνουργεία Κορίνθου που δραστηριοποιείται στην κατασκευή μεταλλικών σωλήνων και είναι μέλος του ομίλου Βιοχάλκο. Η έλξη αυτή των ελληνικών επιχειρήσεων για τη μέχρι πριν από λίγα χρόνια «άγνωστη» σε αυτές αγορά δεν σχετίζεται μόνο με τις αισιόδοξες προοπτικές της πολωνικής οικονομίας (2,5% αύξηση του ΑΕΠ προβλέπει για το 2010 η JΡ Μorgan και 1,5% ο ΟΟΣΑ). Σχετίζεται και με τη σχεδόν προνομιακή μεταχείριση της Πολωνίας από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση σε σχέση με τους άλλους νεοφερμένους της Ε.Ε. και την εισροή στη χώρα σημαντικών κονδυλίων για έργα υποδομής.
Έξι έργα για την J&Ρ Άβαξ
Η μεγαλύτερη παρουσία ελληνικού κατασκευαστικού ομίλου στον τομέα της κατασκευής υποδομών, αλλά και οικιστικών προγραμμάτων είναι αυτή του ομίλου J&Ρ Άβαξ. Το πλέον πρόσφατο έργο που ανέλαβε να κατασκευάσει ο συγκεκριμένος όμιλος είναι ένας αυτοκινητόδρομος συνολικού προϋπολογισμού 172,7 εκατ. ευρώ. Το έργο αυτό δεν είναι το μοναδικό που έχει αναλάβει ο ελληνικός όμιλος στην Πολωνία. Έχουν προηγηθεί άλλα πέντε: ένα οικοδομικό προϋπολογισμού 13,7 εκατ. ευρώ στην πόλη του Gliwice (έχει ολοκληρωθεί), μία οδοποιία προϋπολογισμού 16,7 εκατ. ευρώ στην περιοχή της πόλης Μiedzyrzec Ρodlaski (έχει ολοκληρωθεί), το έργο κατασκευής του τμήματος SΟSΝΙCΑ- ΒΕLΚ του Αυτοκινητόδρομου Α1 μήκους 15,4 χλμ. και προϋπολογισμού 175 εκατ. ευρώ, καθώς και η κατασκευή του κόμβου SΟSΝΙC προϋπολογισμού 207 εκατ. ευρώ. Επίσης, κατασκευάζει το νέο στάδιο στο Wroclaw για το UΕFΑ ΕURΟ 2012 σε κοινοπραξία με δύο πολωνικές εταιρείες, προϋπολογισμού 145 εκατ. ευρώ. Συνολικά το ανεκτέλεστο των έργων της J&Ρ Άβαξ στην Πολωνία, μαζί με την καινούργια σύμβαση, ανέρχεται περίπου στο ποσό των 350 εκατ. ευρώ χωρίς ΦΠΑ.
Εταιρείες από άλλους κλάδους επενδύουν σε ακίνητα
Τον περασμένο Σεπτέμβριο τρεις ελληνικές εταιρείες ίδρυσαν από κοινού την εταιρεία ΑLΡΗΑ ΜΟGΙLΑΝΥ DΕVΕLΟΡΜΕΝΤ Spzoo, με έδρα την Κρακοβία και με σκοπό τη δραστηριοποίησή της στην πολωνική αγορά ακινήτων. Πρόκειται για τις εταιρείες ΑΛΦΑ ΓΚΡΙΣΙΝ ΙΝFΟΤΕCΗ Α.Ε., ΒΑΡΔΑΣ ΑΕΒΕΕ και ΙΝΤΡΑΚΑΤ. Οι τρεις εταιρείες κατέχουν από 25%, ενώ το υπόλοιπο ποσοστό ανήκει σε ιδιώτες επενδυτές.
Στις ανανεώσιμες πηγές
Με όχημα την εταιρεία Εolos Ρolska, που ίδρυσε πέρυσι στη Βαρσοβία ο όμιλος της ΓΕΚ- Τέρνα και συγκεκριμένα η θυγατρική του, Τέρνα Ενεργειακή, θα επιχειρήσει ο ελληνικός όμιλος να διεισδύσει στην αγορά ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας της Πολωνίας. ΤΙΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΕΣ επιχειρήσεις προσελκύει και η εισροή στην Πολωνία σημαντικών κοινοτικών κονδυλίων για έργα υποδομής
ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΑ

Invest in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Invest in Greece Agency: Investment Overview .The publication is also available in German, Russian, Japanese and Arabic.  Greece offers businesspeople a wide variety of investment opportunities that utilise the country’s strategic geographic location and unique competitive advantages.  It is a natural gateway to more than 140 million consumers in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, a region with a GDP of almost €1 trillion.  Investors are discovering that Greece has a combination of characteristics that are unequalled in Europe. It is a leading global tourism destination, an emerging regional energy hub, and possesses human capital that is outstanding. Key economic sectors are: tourism, energy, shipping, food & beverage, real estate, logistics, banking and finance, ICT & R+D, as well as environment and waste management. More Publications: Invest in Greece Agency – Media Centre 

A Sea of Opportunity

Being a worldwide popular tourism destination, Greece is a natural haven for sailors. With a coastline of more than 15,000 kilometres, one of the longest in the world, and more than 3,000 islands and islets, Greece offers sailing enthusiasts endless opportunities to enjoy its crystal clear seas, natural beauty, and renowned cultural and historical attractions. New modern marinas, hotel ports and moorings for the safe docking of boats already operate or are under construction, as demand for professional marina services is growing, ushering in significant investment opportunities, for construction and upgrading of infrastructure at favourable pricing. Public Private Partnership legislation is also an attractive platform with which to meet the needs of marina expansion through the development of state-owned real estate. Invest in Greece Agency: Tourism – Marinas; Greek National Tourism Organisation: Marinas – Moorings