PM Samaras inaugurates new COSCO wharf

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) Chairman Captain Wei Jiafu on Wednesday inaugurated Wharf 3 at the Piraeus Container Terminal run by COSCO in Ikonio, Piraeus. During the ceremony, Samaras officially invited the Chinese to carry out further investments in transport-related sectors, such as in trains, ports and shipyards.

Referring to his recent trip to China, Samaras said he had ascertained unlimited potential for cooperation in various sectors of the economy, noting that the privatisation of TRAINOSE will be announced in a few days.

"Regardless of the intensity and form the crisis may take, the answer is investments," the prime minister said, noting that the completion of the eastern section of Wharf 3 represented an investment in Greece of 340 million euros.

"We are in the midst of a negotiation for a new agreement for the west side, which if completed and approved by Community authorities will lead to an additional investment of 224 million euros and 500 permanent jobs, as well as another 200 during the three years of construction," Samaras stressed.

He also pointed out that, when the investment was fully completed, Piraeus port will have a capacity for seven million tonnes, while the total investment will reach 500 million euros and the number of jobs created will exceed 3,000.

Piraeus is among the top five ports of Europe and is on its way to becoming the first, Samaras added.

Source: Athens News Agency