Interview with Stéphane Perchenet, Business France

What is the position of French companies in Athens, and how has it changed with the economic crisis?

Stéphane Perchenet - Nearly 120 French subsidiaries are present in Greece, representing 30,000 jobsIn addition, there are many national distributors of French brands. Although some companies withdrew from the Greek market during the crisisWhile France has a strong presence in a number of sectors, including energy, infrastructure and public works, railways, food processing, cosmetics, logistics and, of course, tourism. Visit Strategic Partnership signed on 23 October 2015 between France and Greece formalised and translated into concrete terms in terms of investment and trade, our support for keeping Greece in the eurozone. On the basis of Greece's comparative advantages, the sectors of transport infrastructure, energy, ICT, tourism and logistics have been selected as strategic and promising for Greece's development. Greece exited the fiscal adjustment programme on 20 August 2018 and the Greek economy returned to growth in 2017, driven by a stabilised budgetary environment and the renewed confidence that came with the smooth running of the programme and its completion.
Growth in activity picked up in 2017, and was confirmed in 2018 with GDP growth of 2.2% in the first half of 2018, and estimated at 2.4% in 2019. What remains to be done in 2019 is to fulfil the commitments made in the post-programme and to implement the conditions for sustainable growth, in particular establishing a climate of confidence for long-term investmentand the consolidation of policies aimed at strengthening social cohesion.

Is the city's infrastructure adapted to the needs of business customers?

Stéphane Perchenet - More than 30 million visitors came to Greece this year, generating €16 billion in tourism revenue. Greece ranks 25th in the world in the tourism sector. conference tourism and 15th in Europe. Of course, there is always a room for manoeuvre particularly in terms of structuring and presenting the offer, and a wider range in terms of size of convention centres. Nevertheless, there are many quality solutions on offer, with cultural and conference centres offering architectural dimensions that can meet the needs of highly selective customers looking for exceptional offerings. For example, international medical conferences will be held in Athens, as will the World Congress on Books and Information in August 2019. Athens' 4- and 5-star hotels also offer a wide range of conference facilities. Elefthérios Vénizélos Athens Airport welcomed more than 10 million passengers in the first half of 2018, completing a record year, and 400 million euros of investment is planned over the next five years, including the development of a new terminal. The Athens ring road, tram and metro system ensure that traffic flows relatively smoothly.

How is the hotel offer developing?

Over the last 2 years, more than 1,000 hotel rooms have been added, and 400 rooms under construction currently boasts international brands including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Wydham Grand Hotel, Four Season, Autograph, Ibis, Amirandes... In terms of infrastructure projects for business tourism, we cannot fail to mention the long-runningHellinikon A project representing an investment of €8 billion, which has been subject to major delays and is due to start construction in 2019. The LAMDA Development consortium is developing the Athenian Riviera, including a 200-hectare metropolitan park, a marina, a casino, hotels and a convention centre.

How is the city, and more specifically the port of Piraeus, changing?

Stéphane Perchenet - Le Piraeus port is continuing to expand, with investments totalling 300 million euros by 2021 and a further 50 million euros by 2026, mainly in port and logistics infrastructure. Visit Chinese group Cosco plans to inject a further 200 million euros into cruise-related infrastructure, including hotels, car parks and a shopping centre. The port of Piraeus was Europe's sixth-largest commercial port in 2017, and is also aiming to become a major cruise port, with plans to build a new quay capable of accommodating four new berths for cruise ships of up to 390 m in length. Piraeus is a business district which has historically brought together many companies and institutions in the maritime sector.

And the Syndagma district?

With regard to SyndagmaThe city of Athens and the Attica region in general offer the advantage of short distances, being only 10km from Piraeus. The metro makes it an ideal meeting point for business people, and its hotel infrastructure makes it an ideal venue for conferences, which are therefore easily accessible. Not all companies are located in the city centre, however, often preferring more spacious business premises on the outskirts of Athens. The development of redeveloped districts like that of Gazi which brought to life a gas plant dating back to 1854, the creation of the The Stavros Niarchos Foundation's new conference centre designed by Renzo Piano with an investment of 860 million dollars in 2017, give an image of the city's potential as a cultural, tourist and innovative destination. Athens was also named this year's Innovation Capital.

How would you describe the atmosphere around Syndagma: is it a district dedicated exclusively to banking and business, or is there life after business?

Stéphane Perchenet - Syndagma is mainly home to shopping centres, department stores, shopping streets, hotels, restaurants and cafés. Museums and archaeological sites are within walking distance, and the picturesque old quarters of Athens, Anafiotika and Plaka, are adjacent. Mediterranean culture is very much in evidence, and Greeks are very fond of outdoor life. As a result, the city is very lively at all times of the day and night. From typical little tavernas serving 'grandma's specialities' to refined restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine, business travellers will find something to suit their after-work tastes. These are often places where business meetings are held, as Greek culture tends to combine business and pleasure to consolidate partnerships.

What are Athens' strengths as a business destination?

Stéphane Perchenet - Greece is a country rich in culture, with archaeological sites and museums right in the centre of Athens. It is a country with a mild, sunny climate that welcomes visitors all year round. It's a country renowned for its "philoxenia" hospitality, which has remained unchanged despite the economic downturn of recent years. These factors, along with the development of high-quality transport and hotel infrastructures, make it an ideal destination for business tourism, which seeks to combine the optimisation of the working environment for successful professional exchanges with intellectual and sensory stimulation.