Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias addresses Business Forum

[01] Papoulias addresses Business Forum

Appealing to Greek and Austrian businessmen in the Forum, which was also attended and addressed by Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer, President Papoulias expressed his "great satisfaction" over the event's main theme, that was the uses and applications of renewable energy sources, the development of technology on the crucial and timely issue of environmental protection and investment cooperation.

The Greek President stressed the steady growth rate of the Greek economy, the country's participation in the eurozone, the improvement in infrastructures, the gradual decrease of the taxation burden for businesses, the new development law, joint ventures between the private and public sectors and Greece's geographical position as being positive elements for investments and business cooperation prospects.

He also referred to the country's considerable economic presence in the Balkans, its strategic position and its leading role which is confirmed, as he said, by the presence of 3,500 firms of Greek interest, Greek bank branch offices and by the total volume of Greek investments that exceeds 12 billion euros.

President Papoulias said that all this render it an ideal partner for entry into the markets of the wider region, while it can also be a springboard for the activation of Austrian companies as well.

He further said that Greece's establishment as an energy hub favours cooperation with Austria in the energy sector and, in parallel, it constitutes one of the most popular tourist destinations internationally, having developed in past decades modern tourist infrastructures and special forms of tourism. Greece has the pleasure of welcoming a considerable number of Austrian visitors, resulting in Austria being steadily included in the top 10 countries of origin of visitors to Greece, he said.

President Fischer referred in his address to the Forum to possibilities appearing for widening and deepening economic and trade relations between the two countries, as well as for Austrian investments in Greece and prospects of cooperation for Greek businessmen in Austria.

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