Invest in Greece

The HIP (Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese) Alliance has been working together with the SA and Greek governments to enhance political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Although trade opportunities between the two countries are limited, there is a sizeable South African Greek community. “There is the potential to leverage the presence of SA Greek businesses in enhancing domestic investment and unlocking further trade and economic opportunities between the two countries,” said Mr Stavros Nicolaou, chairman of HIP Alliance at a business breakfast held last Tuesday.

Attending the event were delegates from the Greek government, which included deputy minister of foreign affairs, Mr Kyriacos Gerontopoulo and the secretary general for international economic development, Mr Panos Michalos in the ministry of foreign affairs.

During their visit they met SA stakeholders including the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Malegwale Ramokgopa, MEC of Economic Development in Gauteng, Mr Eric Xayiya and business organisations including the Gauteng Growth and Economic Development Agency, Brand SA, Business Unit SA, Black Business Council and the JSE.

Addressing attendees at Tuesday’s event, Mr Michalos called on South Africa to invest in Greece.

“There are some aggressive asset and privatisation programmes the Greek government is running and there could be opportunities for SA investors and business people to become investors in Greece around some of the national assets,” said Mr Nicolaou.

HIP also launched the SA Hellenic Foundation for Development and Philanthropy. The aim of the foundation is to assist in social responsibility programmes for underprivileged communities.