“In the last ten months, strategies and iconic investments of € 2.5 billion have been approved. Half of them are in the industry industry and this is the big difference from the past, “said Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, speaking today at the 8th Investgr Forum 2025 and journalist Niki Luberakis.

Since August 2024, 15 strategic investments have been approved, of which seven are industry (€ 900 million), six tourism (EUR 1.45 billion) and two research and technology (€ 136 million).

For the investment plans of the 2004 and 2011 development laws that were never completed, the Minister of Development said that “by law and with an article, with our legislative intervention, we have decided that these plans are being dismissed by development laws and money must be refunded. The list will be given to AADE and will do exactly what he does with anyone who owes the state. This is the proof that we mean in practice that there must be transparency everywhere. “

Asked whether to extend the time to submit investment projects in the first three regimes of the Development Law completed on September 10, Mr Theodorikakos said there would be a meeting with productive bodies on Wednesday (16/7) and the issue would be examined. “If an extension is given, it should now be given to know all the terms of the game,” he said.

The Minister of Development has referred to the substantial improvement of the fiscal image and credibility of the Greek economy over the last six years, the significant increase in GDP rate and to reduce unemployment from 18% to 7.9%. However, as he pointed out, the trade deficit remains very high as it was at the time Greece was part of the eurozone. “We introduce more than we export and is something we have to deal with,” he said.

He emphasized the need to change the productive model of our country by enhancing extroversion, exports, shifts to productive investment, boosting industry, processing, primary sector, strengthening mineral wealth and integrating new technologies to produce innovative and competitive products.

“New productive model means utilizing all the potential of our economy. It is a national affair that concerns everyone, “he said.

For foreign investment, the Minister of Development stressed that “Greece has done a lot to be an attractive destination, but it has to do even more”. He talked about the international climate of uncertainty, with the policy of duty and protectionism in commerce, which raise obstacles and problems, as he said, so that “my perception needs a new package of complete relief of procedural licensing for a new business. We need to reduce the bureaucratic administrative burden and have a ready proposal. “

Finally, Mr. Theodorikakos emphasized the need for “transparency everywhere, for everyone and everything” in cases such as OPECEPE. “Follow all the processes and where there are gray zones, to be revealed and clear.”