The brain gain generation to return to Greece is primarily interested in working conditions, said the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis, in the keynote speech at the annual BrainReGain event. These, as the minister said, include the digital work card, the new and longer parental leaves, the arrangement of working time and the disconnection of telework.

According to the minister, in the period 2010-2021 approximately 600,000 young people left abroad and approximately 350,000 have returned.

“It is a first positive development and we are here for it to continue,” he pointed out. And he cited six issues as important: The growing economy, which jobs are being created, labor market conditions, incentives for entrepreneurship, dealing with bureaucracy and living conditions.

As Mr. Hatzidakis said, in Greece there is already a significant influx of large foreign investments, such as Microsoft, Google, Sisco, Amazon, etc. These and the coverage of the six aforementioned issues, he added, will help bring back the brain gain generation.

The minister said that a reward is needed for smart business ideas and referred to the legislative arrangements within 2024 to support business mergers (young people will not go back to a business with two employees, he said) and to support innovation. And he concluded by saying that everyone and businesses must realize that Greece is becoming a country of opportunities.