US Ambassador: Investments in Greece Picking Up in 2018

Addressing the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce annual New Year’s event last week in Athens, US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt expressed his optimism that 2018 would be a year of recovery for Greece, while all the more US investors are seeking ways to collaborate with Greek enterprises.

Referring to the steps made between the two countries, including contacts by Greek ministers, local authorities and decision-makers with representatives from Hollywood, Silicon Valley and MIT, Pyatt said that “2018 is the year of the US in Greece, and particularly in Northern Greece. We are confident that this will be the year in which Greece has fully recovered from almost a decade of economic crisis”.

The US diplomat went on to add that both US President Donald Trump and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agree on the importance of strengthening ties between the two allies, and added that in view of the United States being the honored country at the 83rd Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF)  on September 8-16, “we expect more than 300,000 visitors from all over the region, including a high-level delegation from the US”.

Pyatt underlined that US investors were interested in “privatizations in the energy sector, the port of Alexandroupolis, civil aviation or shipyards… large American investors and companies are looking for ways to cooperate with Greek companies and to benefit from opportunities offered by Greece”.

“We have seen large investments recently by Calamos, Morgan Stanley and Avis, and we hope to see ONEX investing in the Neorion Shipyards [Syros] and US participation in Hellenikon, the port of Alexandroupolis and much more,” he added.

Also attending the event, Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou said 2018 was a “key year” for Greek-American ties particularly in terms of investments thanks to the improved financial climate, Greece’s position in the Balkans and the Southeast Mediterranean, and on occasion of the TIF, which he said will pave the way for new possibilities.

In the meantime, aiming to attract US business participation in the 83rd Thessaloniki International Fair, while paving the ground for future collaborations between Greek and American enterprises, Greece’s exhibition organizer TIF-Helexpo visited Los Angeles and San Francisco last week.