Picture: www.imerisia.gr
Foreigners recognise attempts for the improvement the country’s finances. Director of Eurobank Properties George Chryssikos talked about the significant improvements in the climate for Greece, which is close to its exit from the crisis. He noted, however, that concerns still exist and everybody is waiting to see the next steps of the government for the popularisation of structural changes before their interest to invest on the Greek market becomes reality.
As for the results of the Roadshow forum, regarding Eurobank Properties he noted that, as usual, interest was significant, since the company operates in the real estate sector, an important sector for the overall progress of the economy, and added that discussions were focused around future projects. "They talked to us about a partnership in future investment, so if there is a project that is large enough for our size and we need help, we will turn to them for co-investment," said Chryssikos and added "even last year, in October, at a similar Road Show, when the situation in Greece was very difficult, we did not encounter any difficulties. We have a good example on the American market."
Flourishing investment opportunities in Greece
George Koutsolioutsos, Folli Follie's Group CEO
Our trip to New York was a curious experience and surpassed our expectations in terms of interest.
The increased interest of foreign investors in the country and the manner in which they are closely monitoring all events on the stock market were the most interesting things at the Road show forum in New York. During discussions with investors, we saw their interest to visit Greece in the near future, since they believe that the climate has changed in a positive direction and opportunities for development and investment are flourishing. Our programme at Folli Follie as a group during the forum was hard, since we had constant meetings with large funds such as Morgan Stanley and Equinox.
Therefore, the trip was very useful. As for Folli Follie, it is worth noting that the establishment of the group in North America is of paramount importance to our strategic development both in terms of the brand Folli Follie and Links of London.
Impressive presence of investors
Menelaos Tassopoulos, President and CEO of Papoutsanis
Foreigners showed keen interest in our company, said Menelaos Tassopoulos. He stressed that investors are looking for companies with significant export. They themselves admitted that unless something goes wrong in terms of the Greek economy in the next period, it will experience a positive twist and return to a positive momentum of development. Although Papoutsanis is a small company for the opportunities of those who participated in the New York Road Show forum, interest was great. 4 meetings were held instead of the 3 planned and they will be continued.
The company specialises in branded goods, with products of the series "Karavaki", soaps and bath foam "Aromatics", soap "Papoutsanis" and "Olivia", which are now on the tourist market.
Who took part in New York’s Road Show Forum?
The Road Show forum attracted more than 100 funds, half of which met Greek companies for the first time, as well as 125 analysts from major financial houses. These included the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Morgan Stanley, Templeton, Highfields Capital, Ziff Brothers Investments, Lazard, Columbia Wanger AM, Contrarian Capital Management, Baupost, Discerene Value Advisors, Dupont, Fintech Advisors, Blackrock, Prudential, Paulson & Co., Neon Liberty, Argonaut and Pyramis Global Advisors.
Companies that participated in the Second Greek investment forum in New York included: Alpha Bank, Attica Bank, Biohalko, Ellaktor, Eurobank Properties, Folli Follie Group, GEK Terna, ECSA, Greek Petroleum, Ιntralot, Kri Kri, Marfin Investment Group, METKA , MLS Multimedia, Mytilineos, OPAP, ΟΤΕ, Papoutsanis, Piraeus Bank, Thrace Plastics, Terna Energy, TITAN, Creta Farms, and Lamda Development.
There were a lot of interesting comments by Pantelis Economou, CEO of Damma Holdings, with significant investments in Greece and Nikolaj Albinus, founder and CEO of Global Family Partners, who talked about the creation of GFP Hellenic Investment Fund, which will invest in Greece and be listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.