Visit Ad. Georgiadi – Chr. Dimas at the facilities of CHROPEI where the first State of Innovation will be created

The site where the first State of Innovation will be created, in the old facilities of “CHROPEI”, on Piraeus Street, was visited today by the Minister of Development and Investment Mr. Adonis Georgiadis accompanied by the competent Deputy Minister of Development & Investment and MP Korinthos D.

Present were Messrs.

– Konstantinos Katsafados, Deputy Minister of Shipping, Member of Parliament for Piraeus
– George Patoulis, Regional Governor of Attica
– Giannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus
– Athanasios Kyriazis, Secretary General of Research and Innovation
– Nikolaos Manolakos, Member of Parliament for Piraeus, New Democracy
– Noni Dounia, Member of Parliament for Piraeus, New Democracy
– Christoforos Boutsikakis, Member of Parliament for Piraeus, New Democracy
– Thodoris Dritsas, Member of Parliament for Piraeus, SYRIZA
– Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEP).
– Charalambos Liakostavros, President of the Municipal Community of Piraeus.

Presenting the progress of the project that will be implemented through PPPs, Mr. Dimas said that last Friday the second phase of the international public tender officially began, with the competitive dialogue taking place in the coming months.

The investment is expected to reach € 100 million, without being borne by the Greek state since the construction and operation costs will be borne by the private sector. With the implementation of the Innovation Center, there will be significant benefits for the development of the wider region of Attica, but also for Greece in general.

It is pointed out that the first Innovation State created in Greece will be a natural space where researchers, start-ups and Research & Development (R&D) departments of companies and industries will create business synergies producing innovative products and services for the benefit of the Greek economy and society. The Center is expected to accommodate more than 2,500 employees.

The Minister of Development & Investment, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis stated:

“One of the main program commitments of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Parliament was the creation of the Innovation Center in Athens. The Ministry of Development & Investment worked methodically. It has already completed the first phase of the tender for the creation of the State of Innovation in its old industrial ΡROPEI in Piraeus and within the first half of 2022 the second phase will be completed with the selection of the contractor of the project. “to create 2,500 jobs and attract investment from the world’s largest companies.”

The Deputy Minister of Development and Investment Mr. Christos Dimas stated the following:

“Today we visited the facilities of CHROPEI, here where the first State of Innovation in Greece will be created. A few days ago, the second phase of the international public tender started and according to the schedule, we estimate that in the second quarter of 2022 the “We hope that with the operation of the Innovation Center, Greece will acquire its own physical headquarters in research and innovation and young scientists and talented entrepreneurs will be able to play a leading role on a supranational scale from our country, within the State of Innovation.”

The Governor of Attica Mr. George Patoulis stressed the following:

“Today is an important day. I would like to congratulate Mr. Georgiadis and Mr. Dimas for the initiatives they have taken to establish the Innovation Center. The Region will support in every way its implementation as it is expected to contribute, both to “Development restart of Attica, as well as the creation of 2,500 jobs. Through the innovation will emerge important opportunities for the development of young entrepreneurship which can be a decisive factor in the effort to keep young people in our country.”

The Mayor of Piraeus, Mr. Giannis Moralis pointed out that:

“I would like to express my satisfaction with the decision of the government, for the creation of the State of Innovation in the old factories of CHROPEI in Piraeus. This is a very large investment of 100,000,000 euros, which creates 2,500 jobs, upgrades the surrounding area and has many multiplier benefits for our city, but also Attica in the future.As the Municipality of Piraeus we further strengthen this innovative project by expropriating the plots of CHROPEI right in the back, so as to create an important “grid” Our goal is to connect the State of Innovation with the innovative actions that we implement as a Municipality with funding from the Region, such as the “Blue Lab”, the Entrepreneurship Support Center, the Start-up Center, etc. I am glad that I find that the project is “running” at fast speeds as it is likely to be completed in 2025. I feel very proud that Piraeus has been developing special dynamics in recent years and is now at the center of great investment interest. This is our goal as a Municipal Authority: a Piraeus with growth, prosperity, new jobs, progress “.