Japanese employers talk business with Alogoskoufis

(Athens, September 5, 2005)

Kathimerini, English Edition, September 6, 2005

A delegation from Nippon Keidanren, Japan’s main employers’ association, visited Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis yesterday and expressed their interest in investing in transport, electronics, information technology and car manufacturing. The minister later said there is also interest by Japanese companies in the energy and tourism sectors. “Questions were so detailed and the delegation’s members are so important that it shows how serious the interest is for Greece; it is examined in the context of the broader region, as a development headquarters for Southeastern Europe,” Alogoskoufis said.

Japanese business delegation visits Greece

Athens, September 6, 2005 (ANA)

Greek Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Monday met with a group of Japanese businessmen and discussed ways to attract more Japanese investments to Greece.

The meeting, with Nippon Keidanren -Japan's largest employers' union- followed the Greek minister's visit to Japan in May during the EXPO 2005 world fair.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Alogoskoufis the talks reaffirmed increased interest by Japanese businesses for Greece and for the country's role as a centre in Southeastern Europe. The Japanese interest focused on transportation, electronics, IT and auto industry. Japanese businessmen were briefed over the government's economic policy such as a tax reform, corporate taxes, a new development law, joint ventures between public and private sectors, improving infrastructure in Northern Greece and market deregulation.

Alogoskoufis stressed Japanese businessmen's interest for the energy and tourism sectors. "The general climate coming from the meeting is that this interest will not take long to become real economic initiatives and direct investments," the Greek minister said adding that Japanese were very careful in their investment decisions.

He noted that there were no specific investment interest and added that the companies themselves would announce any such decisions. He stressed, however, that the detailed and focused questions made and the composition of the delegation proved Japan's increasing interest for Greece. "They are examining Greece as a potential hub for Southeastern Europe what is exactly the Greek government's strategy, to develop the country as a centre for the wider region," Alogoskoufis said.

The two sides also discussed ways to begin direct air flights between Athens and Tokyo.

Deputy FM Stylianidis meets representatives of the Association of Japanese Industrialists

Athens, September 6, 2005 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis met in Athens on Monday with a 20-member delegation of the Association of Japanese Industrialists and told them that "Greece can operate as a central headquarters for Japanese business which would want to be active in the Balkans and the Black Sea."

Stylianidis encouraged the Japanese business delegation to chose investing in Greece, stressing that "the geopolitical position of Greece facilitates major investments aiming at the broader market, utilizing Greek experience and the Greek network."

The deputy foreign minister also praised Greece for "possessing security, stability and a high level of manpower."

Particular discussion was made on the prospects of an increase of tourism to Greece from Japan, the development of air transport and the promotion of consortiums.

Stylianidis also termed as "constructive the two countries' cooperation within the framework of the UN and the OECD."

Economy Minister

Giorgos Alogoskoufis