French CEOs to Join President Macron’s Official Visit to Athens

A number of French business leaders and CEO’s will accompany President Emmanuel Macron on his official visit to Athens on Thursday, September 7.

According to media reports, representatives of some of the world’s largest multinational firms will be part of the French delegation, such as Total oil and gas company, which is currently involved in hydrocarbon exploration in the Ionian-Crete region. Total’s chairman and CEO, Patrick Pouyanne, will represent the company in Athens.

The French delegation will also include Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom (trains, public transport); Louis-Roch Burgard, Executive Chairman of Saur (water company); Jean-Louis Chaussade, Chairman and CEO of Suez Environnement (water and environment company); Guillaume Leroy, Chairman and General Director of Sanofi (pharmaceutical company); Nicolas Notebaert, Member of the Executive Committee of Vinci (technical company); Agnes Paillard, Chairman of Aerospace Valley (aerospace company); Hennir Boyer, Chairman of the Roullier Group (fertilizers and feed); Nicolas Cappelaere, Chairman and General Director of Ineldea laboratories (cosmetics, vitamins); and Emmanuel Commault, general manager of Cooperl (pork processing company).

Economic forum in Athens

On Friday, September 8, President Macron and the French delegates will attend an economic forum in Athens. Forty-four well known Greek entrepreneurs that represent almost the entire range of entrepreneurship in Greece have been invited to attend. During and following the forum, the Greek entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to discuss possible business opportunities with the French CEOs.

According to reports, France wishes to show in practice that it supports Greece and wants to do so through the promotion of investments in the country.

This is Macron’s first visit to Greece after his election in June. It has been reported that EU policy and debt relief for Greece are on the agenda of talks with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras.