GREECE DELIVERING RESULTS: «Investment and Business Opportunities in Greece Today»

Xenofon Fafoutis editor of www.Apodimos.com

In New York where found itself the Mr. G. Alogoskoyfis, it gave fight as all Greek economic factors for Investments in the Hellenic space. Thus the minister of Economy G. Alogoskoyfis with his visit in the USA sends the message that Greece does not constitute more a small economy in south-eastern utmost Europe, but is the epicentre of wider region where take place important changes. The above important economic changes in the economy of Greece, with the advantages of use of her investment occasions give the possibility find itself the Big foreigner investors. However the private Economy has the advantages of use of investment occasions that seek the big investors and Greece has many.

This annual Investment Congress of Capital Link aims at the regular briefing of international investors on the developments, possibilities and prospects of Greek economy, capital market and enterprises. Traditionally this event attracts more from 500 participating from American enterprising, economic and investment community.

THE he 9th ANNUAL CAPITAL LINK FORUM

This Forum was under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Greece, with the collaboration of the New York Stock Exchange and the Athens Stock Exchange. The 9th Annual Capital Link Forum on Investments in Greece, which was take place at the Pierre Hotel, New York City on Friday, November 9th, 2007, and had a great success.

A series of presentations was take place under the overall topic: «Greece Delivering Results: Investment and Business Opportunities in Greece Today» and the participation of important international investment banks. The participation of Greek and International Mass Media, as well as Hellenic / American Unions and Organizations. 

The entire American investment community was expected to welcome the Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. George Alogoskoufis, and the Greek delegation in a conference organized by Capital Link with the collaboration of the New York Stock Exchange, the Athens Stock Exchange, the Secretariat General of Information, four large international investment houses (Sal Oppenheim, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS), Proton Bank, the Business Council for International Understanding (Organization promoting inter-state trade relations) and the New York Association for International Investments (Organization comprised by Portfolio Managers investing outside the United States). The President of the latter association is Mr. Henri de Vismes, former Head of Citigroup International Investments. This combination ensures unique access to a targeted and selective audience of international investors.

The Greek delegation consists of the following persons:

·          Mr. George Alogoskoufis, Minister of National Economy and Finance of Greece, as the keynote speaker during Lunch

·          Mr. Ioannis Papathanasiou, Deputy Minister of Economy & Finance

·          Mr. Panos Livadas, Secretary General of Information

·          Mr. Plutarchos Sakellaris, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors

·          Mr. Loukas Papazoglou, General Secretary of the Treasury, Ministry of Economy and Finance

·          Mr. Panayiotis Drosos, Secretary General of Investments and Development

·          Mr. Leonidas Korres, Special Secretary for Public Private Partnership, Ministry of Economy & Finance

·          Mr. Spyros Capralos, Chairman of the Athens Exchange

The delegation also includes top management executives of some of the most important listed corporations. In particular, the participants and speakers of the Forum was the following:

·          The CEO of the Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE), Dr. Dimitrios Pazaitis

·          The Chairman of the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO), Mr. Panayiotis Papastavrou

·          The Senior Vice President, Director Equity, South Europe & Middle East of Sal Oppenheim, Mr. Nicola Facciorusso

·          The President of Alapis, Dr. Lavrentis Lavrentiadis

·          The CEO of the Athens International Airport, Mr. Yiannis Paraschis

·          The Chairman and CEO of the Bank of Attica, Mr. Tryphon Kollintzas ,

·          The Chairman of the Greek Postal Savings Bank, Mr. Angelos Philippidis

·          The CEO of Proton Bank, Mr. Elias Lianos

·          The Secretary General of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Ms. Alexandra Palli

·          The CEO of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Mr. Tassos Philippakos  

·          The CEO of Hellenic Petroleum, Dr. Panos Cavoulacos  

·          The Chairman of the Hellenic Public Real Estate Corporation, Dr. Petros Papageorgiou

·          The COO of OTE - Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Mr. Iordanis Aivazis

·          The Chairman of Lykourezos Law Offices, Attorney, Mr. Alexandros Lykourezos

·          The President and CEO of OPAP - Greek Organization of Football Prognostics, Mr. Christos Hadjiemmanuel

·          The Investor Relations Advisor of OPAP, Mr. Nikos Polymenakos

·          The CEO of the Tourism Development Co. (ETA), Dr. Harry Coccossis

·          The President, CEO and Director of Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) Limited, Mr. Nikolas Tsakos

·          The Managing Director – Shipping Division, Fortis Bank Mr. Harry Antoniou.

It should be noted that Ms. Zoe Cruz, Co-President of Morgan Stanley introduced the Minister, Mr. Alogoskoufis, at Lunch. The Ambassador-designate of the United States to Greece, H.E. Daniel Speckhard, who assumes his new position in Athens immediately after the Forum, and the Ambassador of Greece to the United Nations, H.E. Ioannis Mourikis, opened the Forum proceedings.

This year’s Forum was under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Economy & Finance.

      FORUM MAIN THEME

The theme of this year’s conference is important reforms taking place today in the areas of the economy, privatizations, new initiatives, such as the Public Private Partnership, as well as business and investment opportunities in Greece and Southeastern Europe in general. Economic stability through European Union participation, continuous fiscal improvement, high rates of economic growth and deep restructuring procedures, which are near completion, create a lucrative investment picture for Greek economy, and make the country itself an investment attraction pole at a time when the world market is looking for a way out of recession.

Furthermore, Greece constitutes the safest and most effective stepping stone towards the rapidly evolving region of Southeast Europe, significantly contributing to the development of the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

The Annual Capital Link Forum aims at the thorough and systematic briefing of international investors on the prospects, developments and potentials of the Greek economy, capital market and Greek businesses. Traditionally, this event attracts more than 500 selected participants from the elite of American businessmen and executives.

It is of particular importance that panel moderators of the Forum are senior executives from international mass media and in particular:

ü        Mr. Thomas Buerkle – International Editor, Institutional Investor

ü        Mr. Vito Racanelli      – European Editor, Barron’s

o        SAL OPPENHEIM

Sal Oppenheim has assumed a major role in this year’s Forum. Besides the fact that it is the main sponsor, Sal Oppenheim has invited a group of European investors – in addition to the invited US investors – in order to attend the Capital Link Forum and have one-to-one meetings with the participating companies and institutions. Moreover, Sal Oppenheim has mainly contributed in the realization of road shows of the Greek companies participating in the Capital Link Forum with the purpose of arranging one-to-one meetings with institutional investors.

      CAPITAL LINK PROFILE

With its headquarters in New York and presence in London and Athens, Capital Link is active since 1995 in the field of Investor Relations and Financial Communication. Its activities focus mainly on three areas:

1)      The promotion of companies to strategic and institutional investors, bankers, analysts, and the financial media in Europe and the United States,

2)      American Mutual Funds and Investment Companies,

3)       Listed Shipping Companies.

Capital Link maintains close collaboration with the three main U.S. Stock Exchanges (New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and NASDAQ), with the London Stock Exchange, as well as numerous companies in Greece, Europe, U.S.A. and recently in Chile. It also organizes a series of Investment Forums at international level focusing on its main activity fields.

Capital Link has built one of the most extended and effective networks for the promotion of Greek listed companies both in Greece, but mainly in Europe and the United States, targeting international investors. Indicative events of its activity are the decisive contribution of Capital Link to the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum between the New York and Athens Stock Exchanges, the organization of events for the OTE listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 1998, as well as the first visit by the Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange in Athens in 2001. The annual Capital Link Forum on Investing in Greece, already on its 9^th year, has been established as the most credible forum for the briefing of US investors on the progress, developments and potential of the Greek economy, the stock market and Greek listed companies. Finally, Capital Link organizes the «IR AWARDS® in Greece – the Annual Investor Relations Awards», which this year are scheduled for December 18, 2007.

Capital Link has a leading position in U.S. Mutual Funds and Investment Companies in the United States, as it cooperates with some of the major companies of the sector, while the Annual «Capital Link Annual Closed-End Fund and Global ETF Forum», already in its 7^th year, is considered the most significant Forum of the sector.

Finally, it should be noted that Capital Link has a leading position in the area of Investor Relations with respect to shipping, as it cooperates with 20 shipping companies listed on 3 U.S. Stock Exchanges, as well as those listed on the Stock Exchanges of London, AIM, and Milan. Annually, it organizes a series of Shipping Forums with analysts and listed companies in New York and London.

For information, please contact Ms. Olga Bornozi: e mail obornozi@capitallink.com and for more extensive information you can visit: The CAPITAL LINK website: www.capitallink.com and the CAPITAL LINK FORUM website: www.capitallinkforum.com

We inform you that in the proceedings of the 9^th Annual Capital Link Forum, under the topic «Greece delivering results: Investment and business opportunities in Greece today», which takes place in New York on Friday, November 9^th, 2007, ended with the dinner held on the evening of Friday, November 9^th, 2007 hosted by Ms. Angeliki Frangou, Chief Executive Officer of NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS, shipping company listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:NM). Ms. Frangou was hosting a reception for all participants of the Capital Link Forum and also additionally invited top executives of the banking and business community of New York. NAVIOS, with over half a century of history, is one of the largest shipping companies worldwide, specializing in the storage, transportation and trade of bulk cargoes. NAVIOS controls a fleet of 71 handymax and panamax carriers of 6.8 million dwt storage capacity, 30 of which are privately owned and 41 of long term leasing with acquisition right of 25 bulk carriers. NAVIOS owns and operates a port/storage facility in Uruguay, one of the largest in Latin America and is also active in seaborne risk management. NAVIOS was acquired by Ms. Frangou in 2005 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market cap of approximately $2 billion.

«GREECE HONORED by THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE IN THE CONTEXT of THE CAPITAL LINK FORUM»

      GREEK DAY AT NYSE – OPENING BELL CEREMONY

In the context of the 9th Annual Capital Link Forum under the overall topic: “Greece Delivering Results: Investment and Business Opportunities in Greece Today” witch take place in New York City, on Friday November 9th, 2007, the New York Stock Exchange in cooperation with Capital Link organizes on Thursday, November the 8^th, 2007 a ceremony in honor of Greece.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) also organized a breakfast during which the Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. Alogoskoufis, and the Chairman of the Athens Exchange, Mr. Capralos, Greek companies listed in NYSE as well as all companies participating in the 9th Annual Capital Link Forum will be honoured.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) leaves the “Opening Bell” of the November 8^th, 2007 trading day to Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. Alogoskoufis, a day celebrated as “Greek Day at NYSE”.

Opening Bell ceremony at the Historic Hall of the New York Stock Exchange receives significant promotion internationally given its live broadcasting by all TV channels.

During the Opening Bell ceremony, Minister Alogoskoufis was accompanied by Mr. John Papathanassiou, Deputy Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. Capralos, Chairman of the Athens Exchange, members of the Greek delegation, businessmen and top executives of Greek listed companies in NYSE. In particular: Mr. Iordanis Aivazis, – Chief Operating Officer, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (NYSE: OTE), Ms. Angeliki Frangou, - Managing Director, Navios Maritime Holdings (NYSE: NM), and Mr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, CEO of Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) Limited (NYSE: TNP), Mr. Dimitris Melissanidis, Founder of Aegean Oil, (NYSE: ANW), Mr. Harry David of Coca Cola (HBC NYSE CCH).

The “Greek Day at NYSE” has been established during the past three years in honour of Minister Alogoskoufis and in recognition of the continuously increasing number of Greek interest companies which are being listed on the NYSE. It also is being organised in the context of the Annual Invest in Greece Forum by Capital Link, which is managing Investor Relations for 20 listed shipping companies.

It is important to emphasize the increasing number of Greek interest shipping companies that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange as well as on other main American Stock Exchanges. Greek shipping honours Greece internationally, and in parallel Greek shipping companies have thousands of American shareholders, both institutional and private investors, via their listing on American Stock Exchanges. Indirectly, through shipping, Greece is increasingly going under the periscope of US business, banking, and investor circles, attracting their attention to the capabilities and prospects of the Greek economy and to the role of Greece as a gateway to international corporations which focus on the markets of South-East Europe and the Middle East.

      CO – ORGANIZERS

 Incorporation with 

The entire American investment community was expecting to welcome the Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. George Alogoskoufis, and the Greek delegation in a conference organized by Capital Link with the collaboration of the New York Stock Exchange,

Also with

 The Athens Stock Exchange and

 The Secretariat General of Information

Four large international investment houses:

Sal Oppenheim		Citigroup	Morgan Stanley		UBS
	Proton Bank

ü      the Business Council for International Understanding (Organization promoting inter-state trade relations) and

ü      the New York Association for International Investments (Organization comprised by Portfolio Managers investing outside the United States).

The President of the latter association was Mr. Henri de Vismes, former Head of Citigroup International Investments. This combination ensures unique access to a targeted and selective audience of international investors.

      FORUM SPONSORS

The main Forum sponsors were: 

Sal Oppenheim Bank

OPAP

OTE

Thanks to their contribution the organized collective promotion of the Greek economy and leading Greek businesses was realized. The Forum is also supported by:

 

 

 

Forum contributors were:

 

      MEDIA SPONSORS

The Forum has always attracted broad coverage by Mass and International Financial Media, both in the United States as well as in Greece and Europe. Capital Link’s Financial Media Partners covering this year’s Forum are: Institutional Investor, Bloomberg, Barron’s, Platt’s, Aviation Week and McGraw-Hill Construction.

 

Institutional Investor		Bloomberg	Barron’s
Platt’s		Aviation Week	McGraw-Hill Construction

Communication sponsors include the following Greek media in U.S.A.:

Antenna TV

National Greek TV

Odyssey Magazine

Eseis

Greek News newspaper.

Greek communication sponsors include «Capital» magazine, the Greek website www.capital.gr, the English magazine «Insider», and «Enimerosi» – Press Releases indexing company.

      INVESTMENT BANKS’ CONTRIBUTION

Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and UBS offer great support to this year’s Forum organization, and have contributed to the attracting of top executives and investors, to the organization of private meetings with institutional investors, as well as to the coordination of the workshop on privatizations.

Moreover, special reference should be made to Citigroup which organizes on Thursday, November 8^th a business lunch within the framework of the Forum in honor of the Minister and the Greek delegation with the participation of top executives.

Ms. Zoe Cruz, Co-President of Morgan Stanley, was introduced the Minister, Mr. Alogoskoufis, at the Lunch on the day of the Conference.

      WORKSHOPS AND ROADSHOW ORGANIZATION

Parallel to the Forum, special workshops was organized this year on privatizations, shipping and investments in real estate.

The workshop on privatizations is organized in collaboration with the four investment banks; Sal Oppenheim, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and UBS.

The workshop on shipping is organized in cooperation with Fortis Bank under the auspices of Mr. Harry Antoniou, Managing Director in charge of Fortis Bank Shipping Activities. It should be noted that Capital Link is a world leader in Investor Relations with respect to shipping, cooperating with 20 shipping companies listed on 3 U.S. Stock Exchanges, as well as those listed on the London Stock Exchanges, AIM, and Milan Exchange.

The workshop on real estate investments is organized in cooperation with Mizuho Corporate Finance, Langan Corporation, Cushman Wakefield and other institutions

o        ROADSHOW ORGANIZATION

This year special emphasis was given on one to one meetings – roadshows – with institutional investors, mainly with the contribution of Sal Oppenheim, as well as of the other Banks. As already mentioned, Sal Oppenheim, had invited a group of European investors in addition to US investors. Proton Bank and NBG International will also contribute to the roadshow.

o        CONTRIBUTION OF HELLENIC AMERICAN UNIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The contribution of the Greek / American community is also very important, given that major unions and organizations support the Forum:

§          American Hellenic Institute

§          Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce of New York

§          Hellenic American Bankers Association

§          Hellenic Lawyers Association

§          and Leadership 100

The Forum is also supported by the Harvard Club of Greece, the Greek Alumni Association of Harvard Business School.

      Meetings of Minister of Economy and Finances in New York

The minister of Economy and Finances Mr. Giorgos Alogoskoyfis at the duration of visit in New York as head governmental and enterprising mission visited the Grant, where it declared the beginning of meeting and was met with representatives’ big financier and investment houses.

Afterwards, it visited the Archbishop America Mr. Dimitrios, with which it discussed ways for the aid of beams of Greece with the Community in America.

The minister had also meeting with the Chairman of Citigroup and former Minister of Finances of USA Mr. Robert Rubin.

Finally the Mr. Alogoskoyfis gave interview in radio-television

o        Statements of Minister with the Archbishop America Mr. Dimitrios

The minister of Economy and Finances Mr. Giorgos Alogoskoyfis met himself yesterday (8-11-2007) in New York with the Archbishop America Mr. Dimitrios.

Afterwards the meeting became the following statements:

«We had the big joy, with the colleague Mr. Papathanasioy, we meet itself today with the Archbishop America Mr. Dimitrios. We had the occasion to speak for the bonds of Greece with the community to America and for the very important role that plays the Church in to maintain these bonds narrow. Because, has too much big importance the everywhere Hellenism and Orthodoxy they are unbreakably tied up. Separate us a ocean, but the souls and the thoughts for us are found too much near.

We discussed various questions, which have interest. One of them is how might also the Greek State help the camps of Church that are addressed in Hellenic-Americans. Help these camps, that are a occasion for the newer generation, for the children, they come in contact with Greece. Come in our country and they pass one interval the summertime, so that are maintained narrow the bonds. We discussed for how we might strengthen the existing camps, as the camp that exists already in Ilia. And, of course, we discussed also other ways in order to we keep these narrow bonds between Greece and the Community».

«It was particularly occasion to find itself once again with the chosen friend and Minister, Mr. Alogoskoyfi, the Undersecretary Mr. Papathanasioy and their collaborators. From our own side he was together us the Vice-president of Archiepiscopal Council, the Mr. Sugar, who is a big benefactor - and we had a very essential discussion.

With the Minister Mr. Alogoskoyfi the discussion is always essential. Because, he is the person which says with clarity what can make also what cannot. It does not hurry it promises, but when it promises it makes him by all means. It is very big subject exists this type the communication. It is a communication,  that has a base, has effectiveness and has always prospect. For this we are particularly grateful for the spirit, the substance, the form and the prospect of this collaboration. Who, finally, aims at the strengthening of natural beams between the Community and the metropolitan space of Greece.

In the substance, we say that all are fellow emigrants. They are the fellow emigrants of Greece and the fellow emigrant of America, Australia etc. Because, we are the same gender and have the same essential origin. We have a enormous destination - here him we say many times over that we are in situation of mission. And be important, when in the persons of Ministers, as the Mr. Alogoskoyfis, exist complete conscience, knowledge and disposal of absolute help and support in this mission for Orthodoxy and the Hellenism. Two elements, which in public have been also recognized by the here Authorities. Because, it is always stressed that what good and what hopeful andconstructive we have in the modern world - or this is said Democracy, or is said human rights, or is said prospect of life, or is said quality of life, or is said environment - finally they spring from the Greek and Christian spirit.

We have the big honour we represent him in this country and we have the big joy to have support from the Greek State in the person of Ministers, as the Mr. Alogoskoyfi. His we are grateful and we are always in the disposal of persons, which wants they promote these big elements of truth and life that is Orthodoxy and the Hellenism.

o        Statement of Minister of Economy and Finances at the duration of visit in the New York Stock Exchange

The minister of Economy and Finances Mr. Giorgos Alogoskoyfis visited in 08.11.2007 morning the New York Stock Exchange and declared the beginning of meeting. At the duration of visit, the Minister made the following statement:

«It is the third year, at which in the Grant of New York exists the day of Greece. This event is related with the annual Congress that becomes in New York for the investments in Greece.

This year exist very big uncertainties, specifically in the American economy and this uncertainties have consequences and in the world economy. The estimates are that these uncertainties they are combatable. They influence, of course, the markets, but the fundamental data of economies they are powerful. And specifically in Europe and in Greece - in our region - the repercussions from this uncertainties appear that they are very small. In any case, we that are persons in charge for the planning of economic policy should we watch the things with attention and attend this uncertainties they do not have repercussions neither in the growth, neither in the employment, neither in standard of living of citizens. And believe that with the policy that is applied in the European Union, this uncertainties will be faced with success».