The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development, Mr Yannis Dragasakis, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Giorgos Katrougalos, decided on the creation of a new financial instrument for strengthening the activity of Greek enterprises in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, as well as for supporting synergy schemes in the wider region.
The goal of the new instrument is to strengthen economic and trade relations in terms of regional cooperation and co-development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hence transferring to the Ministry of Finance and Development funds amounting to €198 million from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ former code of “Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans”.
The new financial instrument will supplement existing ones, providing credit, guarantees etc. to enterprises in the region of the Balkans and the Southeast Mediterranean.
The funds will be utilised for the development of economic relations with neighbouring countries and the forging of business ties and cross-border connections to further bolster Greece’s outward-looking nature (e.g. scholarships, further education, strengthening of start-ups and female entrepreneurship, infrastructure, participation in international fora, cross-border connection programmes, initiatives for vulnerable groups, technology infrastructure actions, upgrading of digital infrastructures etc.)
With the creation of this new financial instrument, which can serve Greek entrepreneurship in the wider region, Greece is upgrading its position and showcasing its promotional role in regional cooperation schemes and initiatives.
March 27, 2019