Greece’s Economy and Development Minister Dimitri Papadimitriou and U.S. Ambassador in Athens Geoff Pyatt on Monday attended a working meeting organized by the Athens Stock Exchange and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was held to coordinate action in preparation for the 6th Greek Investment Forum taking place in New York on June 21-22 and a trip to Washington that preceded this.
A Greek delegation headed by the country’s Minister of Economy along with the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the Athens Stock Exchange was joined by the US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt on a visit to Washington as part of the 6th Greek Investment Road Show.
At a dinner with Greek American businessmen in New York, on Thursday Pratt said his purpose was to re-affirm his country’s support for Greece, its economic recovery and to encourage American investment in the country.
“My purpose in the United States this week, first in Washington and now in New York, is to reflect the commitment of the United States government to do everything in our power to help sustain this process of recovery in Greece; to help see that Greece emerges from its seven years of hardship as a strong member of the Eurozone, a vital ally of the United States in a strategically complicated important region; and a country which is able to continue its role as a beacon of democracy and stability in a very complicated region”, said Ambassador Pyatt.
The event was organized by the General Consulate of Greece in New York and the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
“I was particularly encouraged by my consultations in Washington; by discussions with senior senators, congress people, representatives of the administration from the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department. It is very clear that there is great attention to what is happening in Greece and also recognition of the enormous sacrifices that the Greek people have made through these seven years. Recognition of the significance of last week’s agreement with Europe as a hopeful turning point in the process of recovery,’’ added Pratt.
The Greek Investment Forum is a joint initiative of the Athens stock exchange and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce that began in 2012 in order to inform prospective U.S. investors of the business and investment opportunities available in Greece.
The forum allowed the U.S. investment community to carry out b2b meetings in New York with representatives of Greek firms and learn about their economic growth and prospects. There were also presentations on macroeconomic issues and the growth prospects of the Greek economy.