The Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX) and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), in cooperation with Enterprise Greece, successfully organized the Greek Investment Road Show in the USA from June 18 to June 22, 2017.
The Road Show to the United States included the 7th Greek Investment Forum in New York (June 18&20) and business visits to Washington DC (June 20&21) and to Chicago (June 21&22).
Alternate Minister of Economy & Development, Alexis Charitsis and US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt along with Secretaries General, Lois Labrianidis and Ioannis Brachos led the delegation in the US, highlighting the strong interest of both governments in further strengthening economic relations, enforcing business between Greece and the USA and supporting the aims of the multi-business delegation that travelled to the US for this purpose.
During the five-day trip, the delegation members participated in fruitful meetings with organizations and business representatives, fund managers and investing firms, journalists and discussed potential grounds of corporation.
New York
During his presentation, Alexis Charitsis, Alternate Minister of Economy & Development noted that Greece will be successfully exiting the bailout program in a few weeks. He stressed that the Greek economy is now on a steady course of growth, with significant improvement in several quality indicators, such as the increase in exports and investments. He underlined that the Greek government is committed in fostering Greece’s international presence, improving relations with neighbouring countries, resolving diplomatic problems and undertaking initiatives at regional level that solidify its leading role in the Balkans.
The US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt in his introduction remarks referred to the importance US gives to Greece and its role in the wider SE region. He highlighted the great progress Greece has made in the field of reforms, while pointing out that these should continue, particularly those regarding the efficiency of the public administration and the role it can play in improving the investment and business climate. Finally, he stretched out Greece’s significant potential for investment and business cooperation in many areas, indicating, for example, energy, tourism, shipping, logistics and agriculture. In closing, he referred to the country’s considerable skillful and educated labor force which could be efficiently utilized through investment and business partnerships.
Socrates Lazaridis, CEO, Athens Exchange Group, noted: “From the previous investment forum until today, total liquidity has improved by some 20% with a big participation from the non banking sector that saw an increase of 40%. Our mid cap companies saw a rise in terms of prices and trading activity. Net profits of listed companies rose to the order of 33% while the participation of foreign institutional investors remained high at 65%. The corporate bond market was enhanced with new issues. Finally, significant improvements were made to the laws for companies, with the incorporation of provisions that reinforce corporate governance and offer the possibility for the issue of new securities and fund raising instruments”.
Simos Anastasopoulos, President, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, remarked: “After 8 years in crisis, this August Greece is leaving behind the Adjustment Programme, having achieved fiscal balance, financial stability and a return to growth. As a result, the interest of international investors has increased, as seen by the large number of investment firms that took part in the 7th Investment Forum of New York. Greece is presenting with numerous investment opportunities today, and it is able to win the trust of the markets with its persistence in the implementation of the structural reforms that confirm its will to recover its competitiveness and a business-friendly environment”.
Washington, DC
Delegation members met with Congressman Gus Billirakis at his office in Washington on June 20 and held a very fruitful discussion on Greek-American political and business relations.
Same evening, the delegation members had the chance to dine at the National Press Club and update US media representatives on current developments in the Greek and EU economies, reforms, business and investment opportunities and other key issues that are of interest to U.S. policy and thought leaders.
The day after, on June 21, a briefing session was organized at the Embassy of Greece with presentations and discussions by officials from the US Department of Commerce, Small Business Administration, thought leaders from the US investment community and Greek government and business delegation members.
Chicago
On June 22 Enterprise Greece organized an investment seminar entitled: “Greece in the spotlight: Investment opportunities for US investors” at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago aiming to outline latest business developments in Greece and present investment opportunities in Public and Private Assets, and more specifically in sectors like: Tourism, Real Estate, Energy, Agrifood, Logistics & Technology.
After the seminar the delegation members visited the MATTER Incubator, a community of entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders working together to harness technology to improve health and healthcare. Josh Chapman, COO of MATTER guided Greek delegation members to its premises and presented the innovative work they do and significant results already achieved.
A dinner hosted by the Hellenic American Leadership Council on June 22 brought together the government and business representatives from Greece with HALC members.
