The Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis, announced a further increase of 400 million euros in the funds of the Public Investment Development Programme during his speech as keynote speaker at the 7th Athens Investment Forum, entitled "Greece as a stable development pillar of Southeast Europe.".

Among other things, Mr. Papathanasis stressed: "Greece is proceeding with a growth rate of 2.3% for 2024, when the rest of Europe has 0.8%, and has the largest reduction in public debt as a percentage of GDP in the EU." 

Papathanasis noted that "We are creating an investment-friendly environment that attracts even global corporate champions to invest in our country, reversing the brain drain and proving in practice that we are a stable pillar of growth in Europe." 

He also referred to Greece maintaining one of the top positions among the "27" in the absorption of NSRF and Recovery Fund resources, as the necessary reforms, which make it difficult for other countries, are being implemented.

Papathanasis also said that in 2024 the largest public investment program of the last 15 years, worth €13.1 billion, is being implemented. After the recent addition of €900 million, a new increase of €400 million is coming, so the amount rises to €13.5 billion without taking into account the disbursements of the banks, which are projected at €1.7 billion in the loan part of the Recovery Fund.

"In a single Europe, the single market concept must include regional convergence, and there cannot be regional convergence without a cohesion policy. In any discussion about the next day within the EU, when it starts, Greece makes it clear that it does not want a reduction in cohesion policy; it is in favour of promoting reforms; it is not afraid of them, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis' governments have shown since 2019. Our priority is for the country to continue to move on a steady path, to expand the perimeter of businesses that have access to bank lending, to put its commitments into practice, to create more and more and better paid jobs for young people," he said.