K. Frangogiannis: The Greek Diaspora can play a mutually beneficial role in Economic Diplomacy

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, Costas Frangogiannis, emphasizes in his article the great importance that can be attached to the coupling of the Greek Diaspora with economic diplomacy in an equally mutually beneficial role. The occasion was the hybrid event on the Greek Diaspora as a business network, recently organized by AHEPA and PADEE, the World Interparliamentary Union of Hellenism, at the War Museum in which he also participated.

Mr. Frangogiannis characterizes as “very important” the two organizations, on the one hand AHEPA, for its important work in Greece, and abroad, which this year celebrates its 100 years of existence and on the other hand for PADEE, which brings together the dozens elected parliamentarians of Greek descent in many countries around the world.

Focusing on the event, the creation of a business network at the level of the Greek Diaspora, the Undersecretary of State stressed that “such a network has enormous value and importance” noting that at the level of Economic Diplomacy “the Greek Diaspora can play an equally reciprocal role. “. In particular, in the context of the hard work done by Greece “to create the best version of our homeland, a homeland that everyone will be proud of and proud of. We hope that our compatriots, having regained the trust in our country, they will prefer it, not only for their vacations, but also for their investments “.

At this point, the Deputy Foreign Minister cites Albert Bourlas from Thessaloniki as a “tangible example”, noting that “his role in the choice of the multinational pharmaceutical company Pfizer to create two global centers in his hometown, has been a catalyst and already in Thessaloniki more than 500 people work – 15% of them, Greeks who returned from foreign countries “.

“Bourla is not alone” underlines Mr. Frangogiannis. “There are countless Greeks who either run or are in high-ranking positions abroad. Many are active in Greece, while others are looking for attractive investment destinations. A recent Accenture survey on behalf of BSE to attract high-tech investment states that in many cases “it was the Greek expatriates in leading positions abroad, who shared the information in a timely manner and were able to exert influence, so that Greece was chosen as an investment destination”.

These new data, concludes Mr. Frangogiannis, have led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to new plans and strategies: We are promoting legislation that supports and attracts ‘digital nomads’. We have already created a favorable environment for taxation and investment incentives resulting in increased foreign direct investment. a different relationship between the Greek State and the Diaspora that will be mutually beneficial for all of us “.

Source: AMPE