Tourism is among the strategic investments for Greece

Tourism has played a central role in Greece 's recent wave of strategic investments. According to Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, six major tourism projects worth approximately €1.45 billion have been approved in the last ten months .

Speaking at the 8th InvestGR Forum , Takis Theodorikakos announced that 15 flagship investments totaling €2.5 billion have been accepted since August 2024 .

In addition to tourism , the investment portfolio includes seven industrial projects with a budget of €900 million and two research and technology initiatives with a total value of €136 million.

The Minister evaluated the fact that nearly half of the approved investments, for the first time in years, came from the industrial sector as a strong indicator of the structural transformation in the Greek economy.

Macroeconomic successes, but trade deficit persists

Theodorikakos said Greece has made significant economic progress over the past six years, with GDP growth remaining strong and the unemployment rate falling from 18% to 7.9%.

However, he also highlighted the country's persistent foreign trade deficit. The excess of imports over exports was identified as a critical area of vulnerability for Greece, and this situation required urgent policy intervention.

New production model and reform targets

The Minister emphasized that the national production model should be directed toward sectors with higher added value and international competitiveness. In this context, the government's priorities were listed as follows:

* Increasing exports

* Supporting the industrial and agricultural sectors

* More efficient use of Greece's natural mineral resources

* Adoption of new technologies for innovation

It was emphasized that this transformation is a national task that requires the participation of not only the state but also the entire Greek society.

Investment climate and bureaucratic barriers

While acknowledging that progress has been made in attracting investment, Theodorikakos also stated that further reforms are needed. Global uncertainties, protectionist trade measures, and bureaucratic hurdles, in particular, were among the key challenges to overcome.

The Minister also announced that a new legislative proposal has been prepared to streamline company licensing processes and reduce bureaucracy.

Greece aims to become a regional leader

The 8th InvestGR Forum, themed "Greece, a Regional Leader," took place at the Athens Conservatory on July 15. This year's event fosters dialogue among government officials, foreign investors, business representatives, academics, and experts, and opens discussions on ways to increase Greece's investment-attracting capacity.