Thursday, January 10, 2013
A roadmap for restoring credibility and boosting investments was unveiled yesterday, during a presentation of the Development ministry’s priorities for 2013. In the presence of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis announced a detailed schedule for every project in the pipeline, noting that after five consecutive years of recession, 2013 could become a turning point for recovery and growth. 
The ministry’s priorities focus on three main pillars: structural reforms, liquidity and progress in public works. Among the key projects that will be put forward is the construction of a cruise ship port in the broader area of Piraeus through a public-private partnership scheme (PPP) and the merger of Invest in Greece with Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) and the establishment of a Hellenic Investment Fund.The reforms also include the promotion of privatizations as well as the acceleration of procedures for investments.On the liquidity front, there is a plan for securing another € 400 million through the activation of an agreement with the European Investment Bank to fund small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The re-launch of National Entrepreneurship and Development Fund (ETEAN) programmes, and the advancement of projects financed by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) are also part of the proposed plan.
Development Ministry: Press conference for Ministry’s 2013 Action Plan (in Greek)
