Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
H.E. Eleftheria Galathianaki and Barbara Dietrich<br />
© <strong>Diplomatic</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
How and to what extend may Chinese investments<br />
have helped Greece to deal with the crisis?<br />
After years of financial troubles, Greece is returning<br />
to a growth path which opens up remarkable<br />
opportunities for investment and trade. Our dynamic,<br />
comprehensive and strategic partnership with<br />
China sets a solid basis for expanding our role as<br />
an important regional hub in the fields of trade,<br />
transport, energy. telecommunica-tions, logistics,<br />
culture and tourism. My country is once again taking<br />
full advantage of its unique geopolitical position as a<br />
country of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans,<br />
but also, as a maritime country with great potential<br />
for advancing relations; far beyond its<br />
neighborhood.<br />
Specialists provide guidance to Chinese investors<br />
in Europe. Think for instance of the guidance that<br />
KA Legal frequently provides to foreign investors<br />
in Greece. How important is such specialist<br />
intervention to achieve the intended transactions?<br />
Greece is aware of the important role of specialists’<br />
intervention in achieving foreign investments. Therefore,<br />
we are trying to inform them on the major recent<br />
reforms in Greece, the positive economic climate and the<br />
hospitable environment which is being created for investors<br />
and businesses that can contribute towards growth and job<br />
creation.<br />
Which new opportunities may lay ahead for<br />
Chinese investors in Europe and vice versa?<br />
As a leading maritime country, looking for new trade<br />
routes, we see new great opportunities in the 21st Century<br />
Maritime Silk Road. An increasing number of Greek<br />
shipowners build their ships in China, while our biggest port<br />
— the port of Piraeus where a very important investment by<br />
COSCO has been made — is becoming a global gateway to<br />
Europe for products coming from Chinese and other Asian<br />
ports, including through the Suez Canal. From Piraeus port,<br />
the merchandise can easily be transported by rail to many<br />
destinations in the Balkans and in Central Europe.<br />
35
Change language