The important contribution of Greek banks in the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, with their representatives presenting their progress and strategies for supporting the institution, was highlighted by the relevant discussion panel, within the 5th PPP Forum, an initiative of A Energy.

In particular, Mr Antonis Koulis, Head of Concessions Finance & Advisory, Structured Financing of National Bankpointed out that the Greek banking system continues to support investments in Greece, despite challenges such as rising construction costs, geopolitical developments in Europe and the Middle East, and high interest rates until recently. PPP projects have not been affected in recent years and this shows their momentum, Mr. Koulis, pointing out that in 2024 a very significant number of projects, both concessions and PPPs, were completed. Currently, there are 43 PPP projects with a budget of 6.3 billion. euros, which are in the tender process and are expected to be contracted within the next months. PPP financing, along with concession contracts and other infrastructure projects, remain a key pillar of credit expansion for Greek banks.

THE Alexandros Panagiotakis, Head of Project Finance of Piraeus Bankstated that an important advantage offered by Greek banks is that they give loans with a long repayment period, in contrast to foreign banks that give shorter term loans. He also mentioned that Piraeus Bank considers the PPP market to be thriving, whether for remunerative or non-remunerative projects, and is a leading player in this sector, organizing, in this context, financing with a total budget of 1.6 billion. on projects that have already been closed and are in the pipeline. At the same time, the group also supports investors in bidding for new projects. It also has a leading role in financing Egnatia and all major highway projects. As early as 2022, it undertook 100% of the financing of the Thessaloniki Flyover project. Also, the partnership agreement for the 17 schools in Central Macedonia was recently signed, a project that Piraeus exclusively financed. Also, the bank is participating in a fiber optic fast broadband project with another systemic bank. At the same time, there are advanced negotiations for another 4 PPP projects in public infrastructure.

THE Giorgos Anomeritis, Head of Project Finance at Eurobanksaid that after many years of PPPs in the market, there has been a normalization of contracts and risk sharing and it has fully captured what banks want to see in PPP contracts. These points are the balanced distribution of risks, the clarity in the terms of the payment mechanism as well as the licensing maturity. Also the protection of lenders in the “bad scenario” of the complaint, the reasonable business plans that serve the costs of the time and give incentives to the investors, the consistency in the payment of monthly payments, as well as the good cooperation between banks and the contracting authority.

The Eurobank Group, he also pointed out, supports and will continue to support PPP projects, having financed several, while it is in the process of financing some more, with a strong desire to support the institution in the future, taking advantage of the high expertise it has developed in recent years and speed of implementation.

In the financial section, they also took part Panagiotis Prontzas, Partner, Head of Strategy and Investments Grant Thorntonwho mentioned, among other things, the need to expand the possibility of issuing letters of guarantee, suggesting the involvement of insurance companies in their issuance. Leonidas Katavelakos, Head of Business Development, Concessions & PPPs, AVAX pointed out the need to review the tax framework of the special purpose companies of PPP projects, but also the need to fully standardize PPP contracts – issues on which the Roxana Todiroae, Infrastructure Advisory Practice Director, EY Greece.

In the first part of the same section, Panagiotis Stampoulidis, mandated advisor of TAIPEDreferred to the acceleration of tenders for PPP projects by TAIPED, the upcoming announcement of the renovation of the site of the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki (TIF), which will be carried out through PPP, the utilization of real estate within the former royal estate of Tatoi and the other projects with the TAIPED PPP, the new Andreas Lentakis Government Park in the former PYRKAL and both major logistics in the Tribe and the former Gonou camp.

The PPP Forumas the organizers point out, took place with the active participation of the relevant ministries, the authorities of PPP projects, investors and the participation of the construction and environmental sector. Moreover, in the context of the event, the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanasis, presented his thoughts regarding the acceleration of the implementation of projects with a Public-Private Partnership while respecting the budgetary targets, while for his part, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos, explained the way the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has chosen, in order to advance the Model Proposals with the PPP method and the priorities of his ministry in the field of PPPs and concession projects.