“22nd ANNUAL CAPITAL LINK INVEST IN GREECE FORUM”: An International Summit about the Greek Economy & Investment Opportunities
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The “22nd Capital Link Invest in Greece” Forum: “Greece – Looking Ahead With Confidence” took place, in digital form, on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 15 & 16, 2020 in co-operation with the New York Stock Exchange and major Global Investment Banks and Organizations.
Also with the overwhelming support of the Greek business & financial community. Over the years, Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum has developed to become an International Summit about Greece, recognized as the main platform for updating US investors on developments in Greece, business and investment opportunities and the attractiveness of Greece as an investment destination. It gathers the elite of the financial and investment communities, as well business and government leaders from the United States and Greece. This year, as a Virtual Forum, the event was available to a global audience.
Foreign investments are of critical significance for the re-launching of the economy. The Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum provided an effective platform and the perfect timing for communicating the Prime Minister’s relayed message at the HELEXPO on the Government’s 12 initiatives to support the economy, which he described as “12 steps of confidence”, and “bridges that will transfer Greece and the Greeks from the health and economic turmoil to the calm waters of progress and hope”. This concrete plan enhances investor interest and confidence and, thus, helping to attract foreign investments.
With a 22-year track record of success, Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum has been engaged in a systematic effort to highlight Greece’s profile, to a global business and investment audience.
This year in particular, in a two-day period, 33 sessions, and 112 Top Level Speakers, from the Greek and international government, business and financial communities this event offered to a global audience a comprehensive, authoritative & insightful blueprint on the latest development and outlook of the Greek Economy. A special emphasis was given to the Business & Investment Opportunities in Greece and the wider region. Led by the Prime Minister, several key Greek Government Ministers outlined their specific programs and policies in the sectors of their portfolios in order to achieve the shift of the economy to a new, sustainable development model for Greece of tomorrow. A confident economy: productive, technologically advanced, innovative, extroverted, intelligent, and competitive, which has disproved the pessimists and attracted the recognition and praise of European partners. A top-level group of CEOs and other executives discussed trends, developments and opportunities for each of the main areas of the economy. Finally, a group of international investors shared their insight and shed light to the reasons that lead them to choose Greece as a Business and Investment Destination and what lies ahead.
The agenda, topics and structure of this forum have been designed to conform with investor interests and requirements. It combines the Greek and US government perspective, with that of private sector executives, international financiers and international investors.
H.E. Minister of Finance, Mr. Christos Staikouras, made a keynote speech entitled: “GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY & OBJECTIVES – POSITIONING FOR THE POST COVID-19 ERA”.
Mr. Jay Collins, Managing Director, Vice Chairman Corporate & Investment Banking – Citi made the introductory remarks followed by a discussion.
Minister of Finance Mr. Christos Staikouras, in his speech stated :
“ The Greek economy has depicted remarkable resilience, due to the effective handling of the pandemic by the Government.
This is recognized by all “stakeholders”, namely the institutions, the markets, the investors, the rating agencies, and, last but not least, the Greek society.
However, it continues to face significant challenges, which require persistent reform efforts.
We are working prudently and methodically, to address the remaining vulnerabilities, to successfully tackle the health crisis, population movement and geopolitical turbulences, and to make efficient use of the available European funds, mainly those from the NextGen EU.
The size of the envelope and its composition pose a unique opportunity for Greece to boost economic activity, through both investments and reforms that will have a prolonged and sustainable impact on the country’s long-term economic outlook.
Investment and reforms that build on and complement past and ongoing policies in the context of the enhanced surveillance process, also reflecting horizontal European priorities.
Investment and reforms, among others, to achieve efficient use of energy, to upgrade networks, to make sustainable use of resources, to achieve climate resilience, to digitalize public and private sector, to promote job creation and participation in the labour market, to improve accessibility and sustainability of healthcare, to increase access to effective and inclusive social policies, to enhance social cohesion, to make fiscal policy more growth friendly, to improve tax administration and tax collection, to improve the efficiency of the justice system, to strengthen the financial sector and capital markets, to promote endogenous sources of growth – like education, vocational education and training, research and innovation, to promote exports, and to improve the business environment.
Taking advantage of all the above, we will have the opportunity not only to recover, but to enter in a strong and sustainable upward trajectory.
An opportunity that we are determined to seize in order to restructure the economy, to enhance its productivity and to improve its competitiveness.”
Mr. Jay Collins, Managing Director, Vice Chairman Corporate & Investment Banking – Citi praised the Greek government for handling prudently the pandemic crisis and for continuing a reform effort during such a turbulent time. More specifically, Mr. Collins focused on structural reforms, green growth, digital transformation and the attraction of foreign direct investment. Finally, he acknowledged the stance of the Greek people, saying that people and families came together for protecting each other during the pandemic.
«One-on-One Meetings in Digital Form With the Minister of Finance»
As in previous years, the Forum provided foreign investors with unique networking opportunities through more than 100 one-on-one meetings with listed and not listed companies, as well as, with members of the Greek Government Delegation, which under the current circumstances were held in digital form on a special digital platform http://forums.capitallink.com/greece/2020/meetings.html
In cooperation with the investment banks supporting the Forum, there were organized two group sessions with institutional investors for all Ministers. Ministers Staikouras, Georgiadis, Hatzidakis: Each one addressed topics of his portfolio and of interest to the specific group of investors. Furthermore, Minister Karamanlis also held a series of one on one meetings with investors and other market participants.
Indicatively: Allianz Asset Mgmt • Amiral Gestion • Artisan Partners, LP • Atlas Ridge Capital • Blackrock • Callawaycap • Cheever Partners, LLC • Colt Capital • Dromeus Capital • Eaton Vance • European Reliance • Fiera Capital • Franklin Templeton • Gagnon Securities • Glacier Pass Partners • Global Value Investment Corp • Golden Tree Asset Management • KKR • Koa Capital Partners, LLC • Melqart Asset Management • Metlife • Metzler Asset Management • Neon Capital • Orasis Capital • Prince Street Capital • ProValue AG • Schafer Cullen Capital Management, Inc. • Sephira Emerging Markets • SpringOwl • Vanshap Capital • Waterwheel
«GREEK AMERICAN ISSUER DAY» at the New York Stock Exchange
Within the context of the 22nd Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum the New York Stock Exchange in cooperation with Capital Link organized a special ceremony in honor of Greece titled “Greek American Issuer Day at NYSE”.
On Tuesday, December 15th, 2020, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) held an official reception, in digital form, in honor of the Greek Delegation, Greek & Greek- American companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
H.E. Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development & Investments of the Hellenic Republic, & Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, President and CEO, Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE: TNP); Chairman, INTERTANKO 2014-2018, rang The Closing Bell accompanied by, Danaos Corporation (DAC) – Iraklis Prokopakis – Senior VP/Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer – Diana Shipping Inc (DSX) – Semiramis Paliou – Acting CEO/COO – Dorian LPG (LPG) – John Lycouris – Director & CEO of Dorian LPG USA LLC – Dynagas LNG Partners LP (DLNG) – Michael Gregos – CFO – Navios Group of Companies (NM, NMM, NNA) – Ted C Petrone – Vice Chairman – Safe Bulkers Inc. (SB) – Dr. Loukas Barmparis President/Secretary – Mistras Group Inc. (MG) – Dennis M Bertolotti – President/CEO – and Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President of Capital Link.
The event was broadcasted live on major news stations in the United States and abroad to an estimated audience of 150 million viewers worldwide.
FORUM OVERVIEW
Through the exceptional digital platform that was used, the Forum offered a unique combination of information, marketing and networking opportunities. The participants this year had the opportunity to be informed about Greece from:
112 top level speakers who addressed
more than 1,000+ delegates who attended the forum
More than 100 one-to-one meetings with listed and non- listed companies
Separate meetings for the Ministers of Finance, Development & Investments and Energy, with a group of Institutional investors (funds) who are interested in investing in Greece
Aiming to provide investors with an authoritative insight about Greece, a “digital library” was created which has been designed to be easily accessible for a long period after the forum.
This year’s Forum was honored by the participation of:
WELCOME REMARKS
Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President of Capital Link
Mr. Ajay Kanani, Director, International Capital Markets – New York Stock Exchange who expressed the active support and participation of NYSE, the world’s largest stock exchange, enhances the prestige and the visibility of the Forum and of Greece to a wider.
H.E. Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to the United States and H.E. Geoffrey R. Pyatt – U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, delivered the Opening Remarks to the Forum.
H.E. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister, Hellenic Republic, delivered the Government’s message to the international investor Community
The Forum concluded with Closing Remarks by:
Mr. John Paulson, President & Portfolio Manager – Paulson & Co.
US Government Official Mr. Matthew Palmer, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Greek Government Officials
H.E. Christos Staikouras, Minister of Finance
H.E. Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development & Investments
H.E. Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Environment & Energy
H.E. Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Digital Governance
H.E. Kostas Karamanlis, Minister of Infrastructure & Transport
H.E. Harry Theoharis, Minister of Tourism
H.E. Theodoros Skylakakis, Alternate Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policy
H.E. Nikos C. Papathanasis, Alternate Minister of Development & Investments – Private Investments & PPPs
H.E. Yannis Tsakiris, Deputy Minister of Development & Investments
Dr. Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, Secretary General of Ports, Ports Policy & Maritime Investments – Hellenic Republic
Mr. Alex Patelis, Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece
Mr. Michael Arghyrou, Chairman of Council of Economic Advisors
Mr. Ioannis Smyrlis, Secretary General for International Economic Relations – Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Chairman of the Board of Directors – Enterprise Greece Invest & Trade
Bank of Greece
Mr. Yannis Stournaras, Governor
Mr. Spiros Pantelias, Director, Financial Stability Department
Five Global Investment Banks
• Citi • Goldman Sachs • HSBC • Nomura International • AXIA Ventures Group
Four Greek Banks:
Alpha Bank: Mr. Vassilios E. Psaltis, Chief Executive Officer • Mr. Theodoros Athanassopoulos, Executive General Manager Non Performing Loans Wholesale Banking, CEO Cepal Hellas Financial Services S.A.
Eurobank: Mr. Fokion Karavias, Chief Executive Officer • Mr. Konstantinos Vassiliou, Deputy CEO, Head of Group Corporate & Investment Banking Executive Member of the BoD
National Bank of Greece: Mr. Pavlos Mylonas, Chief Executive Officer • Mr. Vassilis Kotsiras, Head of Capital Markets and Structured Finance
Piraeus Bank: Mr. Christos Megalou, Chief Executive Officer • Mr. Athanassios Vlachopoulos, General Manager Corporate & Investment Banking • Mrs. Eleni Vrettou, Executive General Manager, Chief of Corporate & Investment Banking • Mr. George Kormas, Head of Group Real Estate of Piraeus Bank Group and CEO
Senior Representatives of Greek and International Organizations and Institutions:
Mr. Martin Bijsterbosch, Adviser – Country coordinator for Greece – Directorate General Economics – European Central Bank
Mr. Rolf Strauch, Chief Economist and Management Board Member – European Stability Mechanism (ESM)
Mrs. Andreea Moraru, Director, Greece & Cyprus – European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)
Mr. John Jovanovic, Vice-President and Managing Director for the Aegean and Western Balkans – US International Development Finance Corporation
Mr. Riccardo Lambiris, CEO – Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund
Mr. George Pitsilis, Governor – Independent Authority for Public Revenue, President of the Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations (IOTA)
Mr. Dimitrios Tsakonas, Director General – Public Debt Management Agency
Mrs. Rania Ekaterinari, CEO – Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participation (HCAP)
Top International Investors:
AlleyCorp • Apollo Advisors • BC Partners • BlackSummit Financial Group, Inc. • BrookStreet Equity Partners • CVC Capital Partners • Fortress • U.S. International Development Finance Corporation • HIP Investment (Blackstone Group) • Insight Partners • Oak Hill Advisors • Paulson & Co.
International Companies:
AECOM Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd. • Atlantic Bank / New York Community Bank • AVIS Greece • Brown Hotels • CISCO, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal • Eldorado Gold Corporation • EY • Flott & Co. PC • Google • Hines Greece • Jacobs • Libra Group • LightsourceBP • Microsoft Greece, Cyprus & Malta • Mistras Group Inc (MG) • Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment • NN Hellas • Pfizer Hellas • Quantum Partners/547 Energy LLC • SP Global
Athens Exchange Listed Companies:
Athens Water Supply & Sewage Company S.A. (EYDAP) • Alpha Bank • ADMIE Holdings (Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A.) • Cenergy Holdings • ElvalHalcor • Fourlis Holdings • Eurobank S.A. • GEK TERNA Group of Companies • Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) • Hellenic Petroleum S.A. (ELPE) • Lamda Development S.A. • Motor Oil (Hellas) • Mytilineos S.A. • National Bank of Greece • Opap • Orilina Properties REIC / Zeus Group • OTE Group of Companies • Piraeus Bank • Piraeus Real Estate • Prodea Investments • Public Power Corporation of Greece (PPC) • Sarantis • Terna Energy • Titan Cement Group • Trastor REIC (Värde Global Real Estate) • Viohalco S.A
US Listed Global Shipping Companies
Capital Product Partners (CPLP) • Danaos Corporation (DAC) • Diana Shipping Inc (DSX) • Dorian LPG (LPG) • Dynagas LNG Partners (DLNG) • Eurodry (EDRY) • EuroSeas (ESEA) • Pyxis Tankers (PXS) • Safe Bulkers (SB) • Seanergy Maritime Holdings (SHIP) • Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) • Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN)
OTHER GREEK COMPANIES & ORGANISATIONS:
Blueground • Cepal Hellas Financial Services S.A. • Elikonos Capital Partners • Enterprise Greece • Envolve Entrepreuneurship • EOS Capital Partners • Epignosis eLearning Solutions • Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) • Grivalia Management Company • Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participation (HCAP) • Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund • Independent Authority for Public Revenue • Intrum Hellas • Public Debt Management Agency • Regency Entertainment S.A. – Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A. • SMERemediumCap • Venture Friends
LAW FIRMS:
Allen & Overy LLP • Karatzas & Partners Law Firm • Lambadarios Law firm • Machas & Partners Law Firm • Milbank LLP • PotamitisVekris Law Partnership • Reed Smith LLP • Saplegal – A.S. Papadimitriou & Partners Law Firm