The US seeks the continued support and strengthening of its investments in Greece. This was noted by the US ambassador to Greece George Tsunisduring his visit today with the Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos and with the Secretary General of Private Investments, Stellina Siarapi, at the Shipyard facilities ONEX in Elefsina, while they were accompanied by representatives of the American Embassy in Greece and associates of the Ministry of Development.

As stated in a statement of the ONEX group, “during the visit, group executives presented in detail the current and future strategic moves, which are expected to turn the Elefsina and Syros Shipyards into one of the largest shipbuilding, energy and logistics hubs in the region Mediterranean. At the same time, they discussed ONEX’s upcoming investments that are going to make Greece a central innovation hub in the region, transforming the defense and shipbuilding sectors and creating new growth prospects. Particular emphasis was placed on the wider economic footprint, but also on the group’s initiatives so far that have played a decisive role in the general revival of the sector in the country and gradually lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.

After the presentation, the president and managing director of ONEX, Panos Xenokostas, accompanied by the group’s executives, took the visitors on a tour of the state-of-the-art shipbuilding facilities, where they were informed closely about the progress of the restoration work on the various ships, as well as about the alternatives modes of operation and efficiency of the latest tank technology, recently put into operation.

“The visit”, as noted in the announcement, “underlines the great importance of tripartite cooperation between the Greek government, the American Embassy and the private sector for the long-term and stable development of the Greek economy, as well as strengthening the position of our country in the global shipping industry”.

The Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos, as noted in the announcement, after speaking with employees and students of the Vocational School that houses the Shipyard, emphasized:

“The shipbuilding industry, the blue economy of our country, is at the center of the country’s new production model. It cannot be understood that Greece, a powerful naval power, does not have a correspondingly powerful shipbuilding industry. For the Ministry of Development and the Greek government, the new shipbuilding investments are considered to be of a strategic nature for the country, with all that this implies for the facilitation and promotion of their implementation. Within a year and a half of its installation at the Elefsina Shipyard, ONEX is estimated to have managed to make a turnover of 120 million, while 450 employees are already working and being paid normally. This is a tremendous success and we are here to highlight and support it.”

The US ambassador to Greece, George Tsounis, during the group’s presentation on new investments and constructions, referring to the shipbuilding industry, emphasized:

“The United States of America seeks the continuous support and strengthening of its investments in Greece. Recently, they invested 125 million dollars in the shipyards of Elefsina, contributing decisively to the development of the sector. Before this investment, shipyard workers were much less; today, this number has increased significantly and will continue to increase. This development offers a new sense of hope to people. Workers now have the possibility to support their families, contributing substantially to social cohesion. This investment not only supports families but also strengthens the economy, both of Greece and America. Our two countries cooperate closely, not only for the economic development of Greece but also for the support of its people”.

The president and CEO of ONEX Group, Panos Xenokostas, referred to the new investments, the particularly ambitious plan for 3,000 new jobs over the course of three years and the turnover of millions of the group:

“Our vision, a national vision that starts in 2019 with the aim of turning the Greek shipyards into a technological, manufacturing hub that will provide well-paid jobs and make a decisive contribution to the country’s GDP. Together with the workers, we managed to change the image of the Shipyards and within two and a half years we are active in the field of repairs, shipbuilding and defense programs, as well as the energy transition”.