New Athens Business Council to Boost Innovation, Entrepreneurship

Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis announced the establishment of a business council aimed at boosting investment during the municipality’s 1st Development Conference held at the Zappeion Megaro on Thursday.

Vice president of Aegean Airlines, Eftihis Vassilakis; vice president of APIVITA, Nikos Koutsianas; Mayor of Athens, Giorgos Kaminis; president of Hellenic Venture Capital Association, Yiannis Papadopoulos; president of Upstream, Markos Veremis; sales manager of K3 Wearable Thiking, Anastasia Kourbela and Action Finance Initiative representative, Anastasia Tsiloglou

The new body will work together with business forces to draw up policies that will help open up opportunities and pave the way for growth but will in addition provide support to new technologies, start-ups and young entrepreneurs.

Greek Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura

Over 500 executives and professionals attended the event during which the mayor presented the city’s strategic plan for the 2015-2020 period. Experts laid the groundwork for the council during a panel discussion, which also focused on public-private collaborations and the potential for growth in Athens.

“We are identifying Athens’ dynamic and important areas of economic activity so that we can intervene productively. This is why here with us today are successful entrepreneurs from tourism, new technologies, the creative industry, innovative financing -outward-looking initiatives – to discuss the future development of the city,” Mr Kaminis said.

In the meantime, Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura reiterated her pledge to place Athens among the priorities of the national tourism strategy.

On a final note, Mr Kaminis said that despite having direct access for the first time to EU funds, the current legal framework for municipalities creates obstacles and called for the enforcement of a regional government framework.