Greek Shipping Minister Talks Investment at ICOMIA Marinas Conference

Photo © GTP

Ways to attract investments in marina infrastructure and diversifying sea tourism offerings topped the agenda of issues addressed during the opening on Thursday, of the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference, currently being hosted at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) through to October 27.

Greek Shipping Minister Fotis Kouvelis.

“The government seeks to attract foreign and Greek capital in a range of activities, such as marinas,” said Greek Shipping Minister Fotis Kouvelis is his address at ICOMIA’s “Cross Sea Challenge for Marinas – Setting the Scene for Collective Development and Growth” event.

Kouvelis referred to the ministry’s priorities, which include the development of marine tourism through investment activity and through sub-contracting deals.

“Sea tourism is a pillar of growth for the Greek economy supporting a number of parallel activities,” said Kouvelis, adding that the ministry would be drawing up a bill to be voted on next month paving the way for the exploitation of marinas countrywide through sub-concession deals.

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Kouvelis also referred to the importance of professional and recreational watercraft activities, which are now regulated following the introduction of an operational framework as well as the simplification of licensing procedures.

In relevant news, Kouvelis also pledged this week to resolve the issue of EU-imposed value added tax (VAT) on professional watercraft, which industry stakeholders say would be detrimental to the development of Greece’s sea tourism potential.