Greece is currently in the top positions in Europe in terms of growth, mainly due to the investment environment that is the result of hard work and reforms, Deputy National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis said at Delphi Economic Forum X on Friday. He noted that investments were currently at 16% of GDP and the goal was to increase them to 20%.
As Papathanasis said, the country is in the top positions for the absorption of all European programmes. It ranks second for the absorption of funds from the NSRF and is in the top seven for the absorption of funds from the Recovery Fund. He added that this year the largest investment programme in recent years is being implemented. In 2019, it was 5.4 billion euros, this year it has risen to 14.1 billion euros and will increase further to 14.6 billion euros, while in 2026 it will be over 17 billion euros. Meanwhile, resources from the Recovery Fund and the NSRF 2021-2027, amounting to 8-8.5 billion euros, can leverage 18-19 billion euros in investments. At the same time, Europe's defence efforts constitute a great opportunity for Greek companies that can participate.
According to Papathanasis, there are still challenges as, for example, the faster licencing of investments," adding: "All investment programmes should be implemented, the investment base should be expanded, more businesses should have access to the banking sector and even greater conditions of certainty should be created."