“The map of Thessaloniki’s transport system is changing radically”, underlined the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, at this evening’s ninth ceremony of awarding the “GREEN VALUE” awards of Association of Greek Industries (SBE), fully opening the “fan” of the large infrastructure projects that are promoted and change the image of the city, but also ensure a better daily life for its citizens and visitors.

“The Thessaloniki metro it was not completed by one politician, but with the cooperation of all“, emphasized Mr. Staikouras and added that the implementation of the baseline is “a collective conquest that will boost the city’s self-confidence“, he pointed out.

Reminding that tomorrow the basic metro line with 13 stations will be handed over to the citizens of Thessaloniki, Mr. Staikouras emphasized that in about a year from today the extension to Kalamaria will also be put to use and thus, as he pointed out “the city will have a total of 18 stations».

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport also referred to the key steps that have been taken to improve the urban transport of OASTH, saying that “we renewed the organization’s fleet by 50%” and pointed out emphatically that “thein 2027 we will deliver the Flyover and in 2028 I believe that western Thessaloniki will also have a suburban train, with the project to be auctioned in 2025“, he characteristically pointed out.

In your placement Mr. Staikouras referred to the awarding of excellence and emphasized that “it is important to do this, many of the measures we took in a difficult period we took together. There is a stable fiscal environment, Greece is achieving from the highest rates of economic growth and quality jobs are being created”, he pointed out.

Among other things, in his presentation he announced that in December the Ioannina – Kakavia section will be contracted, in the first four months of 2026 the E65 will be completed and within the next five months the contract for the maintenance of the Egnatia Road will also “run”.

He added that the contractor who will undertake the Toxotes – Karvali railway project has already been selected and within the current month the tender for the restoration of Daniel’s damages on the Thessaly railway will be announced. “We will allocate resources of more than 1 billion. euros for the redevelopment of the railway”, he emphasized.

President of SBE, Loukia Sarantis: The Thessaloniki metro is a life project

“The industry dares, endures, takes the lead and beyond the Greek borders, the metro is a living project, it will upgrade the city while strengthening the industry of Thessaloniki, the metro is a great success of the government“, pointed out the president of the Association of Greek Industries (SBE), Loukia Sarantis. Excluding the role of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras in the matter of the implementation of the basic line of the Thessaloniki metro, Mrs. Saranti said:I think you will forever tie your fate minister, your name will forever be tied to this criminal project“, he noted characteristically.

Among other things, she pointed out that “major projects must go ahead and proceed quickly” and added that “the metro will upgrade the quality of transportation in the city, serving citizens and businesses and will contribute catalytically to the development of society and of the economy of Thessaloniki”.

The 13 prizes awarded

In total, 13 awards were presented at tonight’s event, of which ten to companies for their outstanding performance in their industry and three specifically based on the recommendations of the evaluation committee. The “GREEK VALUE 2024” Awards were presented by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, the Deputy Minister of the Interior of Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos P. Giulekas, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Alexandra Sdoukou, the Commissioner of Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the pr. Minister of Immigration and Asylum and ND Member of Parliament, Dimitris Kairidis, the mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, the ND MEP, Dimitris Tsiodras, the president of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yiannis Masoutis, the honorary president of SBE, George Mylonas, head of the ALOUMYL company, and its president SBE, Loukia Sarantis, while the event was honored with the presence of government and local government officials, as well as representatives of institutional and productive bodies.

Industry Award Winners

  • In the Food sector: E.I. PAPADOPOULOS S.A.
  • In the Textile sector: AFOI N. KARAGIORGOU SA
  • In the field of Mining Companies: HELLENIC LEUFKOLITHI A.M.V.N.E.
  • In the Base Metals sector: CENERGY HOLDINGS SA
  • In the Hygiene Products sector: MEGA SA

Innovation Awards

  • Industrial Production: NIKOLIDAKIS GROUP, COLORA SA
  • Agri-food: PIGES KOSTILATAS SA, CORPHES, ALFA ESTATE

Special Awards

  • Entrepreneur Award: Mrs. Mary Hatzakou in recognition of her commendable business activity
  • 100 years of uninterrupted operation in Thessaloniki: AFOI HAITOGLOU SA
  • Scientist Award: Prof. Iakovos Vassalos in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of industry research.

OR initiative of SBE for the awarding of the “Hellenic Value” awards started in 2012 and has now been established as an awarding institution for healthy entrepreneurship, in recognition of the important work carried out by the industry. The aim is to highlight, promote and award manufacturing companies that stand out for their successful action and their contribution to the development of the Greek economy.

As part of the SBE initiative, companies from the food, textile, plastics, mining, basic metals and hygiene products sectors are awarded. Also, five companies are distinguished separately for their innovation and three important personalities are awarded, in recognition of their contribution to Greek entrepreneurship.

The selection and evaluation of the companies that received their honor today was carried out by an evaluation committee of the Awards, chaired by the professor of the Athens University of Economics, Dr. Georgios Doukidis and members, the president of EYATH SA, Agi Papadopoulos, professor of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, professor and former rector of AUTH, Dr. Periklis Mitkas, honorary president of the Association of Greek Industries, Nikos Pentzos, financial supervisor of SBE, Katerina Nendou and 1st vice-president – executive of SBE, Yannis Stavrou.