Telemachos Georgakis: Alpha Bank actively supports the Greece brand and the Crete brand

The ways in which Alpha Bank stands on the side of Greek and especially Cretan entrepreneurship were presented in an interview given to the “Crete Today” show of Crete TV by the Senior Commercial Banking Director of the bank, Telemachos Georgakis.

Mr. Georgakis also referred to the dynamics of the tourism sector in the development of the island and the enhanced prospects for new investments.

On the occasion of the recent visit of the Management of Alpha Bank Management in Crete, Mr. Georgakis described the island as “a special and pleasant case”, with significant and targeted investments that have been made in recent years and with new investment plans that “have a special interesting and moving in the right direction “.

“We believe that Crete has the great advantage of having two brands that it can take advantage of. The Greece brand and the Crete brand. The latter is just as strong as the first and can give a further impetus to the planned investments,” he said. to the competitive advantages that differentiate Crete in relation to the rest of Greece, and have to do with the hospitable temperament of the Cretans, the natural beauty and the abundance of quality local products that ideally complement the image of the destination for foreign visitors.

Regarding the new business plans, Mr. Georgakis stressed that, as is the case in Crete, investments must have a vision and be rational and targeted, noting that the tourism product has changed, as “People do not come only for “to enjoy the sea and the sun. He comes to find and live a complete experience. So, a tourist investment should offer the visitor a unique experience. And I must say that we saw this being designed and implemented in Crete!”.

Also, referring to the effort to attract visitors who have the ability and desire to spend more, he stressed the importance of infrastructure.

“In the case of Crete, three important necessary infrastructures have already been launched regarding access (Kastelli Airport), transportation (North Road Axis) and ensuring energy adequacy and stability (interconnection cables with mainland Greece). There are other investments that need to be made. “Accelerate, for example, water and sanitation infrastructure as well as renewable energy projects, environmentally friendly and local communities. But we are certainly on a pretty good path today,” he said.

Growth prospects despite the economic situation

Mr. Georgakis also highlighted the opportunities offered by the Development and Sustainability Fund in financing new investments, while he also analyzed his perspective on the challenges posed by the current economic situation due to the increased costs of energy and raw materials.

“To the difficult mix caused by the high cost of energy and raw materials, as well as the problems in the supply chain with shortages and delays, are added two other future concerns: The forthcoming rise in interest rates and the impact of rising prices on consumption. , and possibly in tourism “he noted characteristically, to add that the increase in interest rates will affect both individuals and businesses, excluding those who have borrowed at a fixed interest rate.

On the opposite side of this situation, Mr. Georgakis also referred to the optimistic prospects that are opening up through the planned investments, despite the current economic situation.

“We have seen a significant increase in investment over the last five years, and the messages we receive from our customers about new investments are very encouraging. “The country has lacked investments of Euro 100 billion, so it is very important to be able to accelerate and return the country to where it should be”, he stressed, referring additionally to the great importance of financing new investment projects and through the new development tools, such as the Recovery and Sustainability Fund, the NSRF and the new Development Law, but also the financial tools offered by the banks, looking forward to a future of extroversion and development for the country.

Alpha Bank’s Senior Investment Banking Director also referred to the Bank’s clear shift in the way it finances: evaluating a request, we are primarily looking for a good, sustainable idea, properly imprinted on paper, ie a business plan to convince the company that it can service the loan it will receive, from its flows and operations. a shift in the way we operate, a shift obviously healthy, which helps us to strengthen healthy entrepreneurship, because what we are interested in is to produce value and wealth, and through the produced value to serve the lending “.

Finally, at the end of his speech, Mr. Georgakis stressed that Alpha Bank currently has the will, as well as the long experience and strong know-how to support companies to implement their investment plans and face the current challenges. , in the new global economic environment that is taking shape.

“We are here to contribute to the path of progress, growth and investment. Businesses, citizens, banks and the State, we need to work together in a coordinated and targeted way to move forward together the next day,” he said.