The multinational consumer goods company Unilever formalized an investment initiative to begin production of its goods in Greece, thus generating new jobs, during a meeting of Unilever executives with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Development and Competitiveness Minister Kostis Hadzidakis, on November 16.

Hatzidakis welcomed the initiative as a "vote of confidence" in the Greek economy, adding that the government will continue with similar efforts aiming at growth. In this context, the premier will be going to Qatar on November 27, while visits to China and Russia have also been planned in order to attract investors.

Unilever had announced on November 13 its intention to produce locally 110 of its products that are currently imported to Greece and transform its local subsidiary Elais-Unilever Hellas into a strategic arm of the multinational group.

Meanwhile, multinational companies are beginning to see the Greek market in a more positive light, according to Yiannos Grammatidis, president of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. Three US-based companies are seeking to strengthen their presence in the domestic market, either through a capital boost of their subsidiaries in Greece or through setting-up new enterprises in the country.