London: Huge interest in Greek Road Show

"In comparison with previous years, we see increased interest for the participation of Greek enterprises that have come here in London. The market acknowledges there have been great changes in the Greek economy, both structural and fiscal. Changes that have allowed the country to return to positive growth rates in 2014," Development Deputy Minister Notis Mitarachi told ANA-MPA shortly after the completion of the first day of the 9th annual Road Show in London.Mitarachi said that a total of 31 Greek-listed enterprises participate in the Road Show and that meetings with international fund managers were expected to surpass every previous record.

"The basic message we gave as a government is that we are determined to continue the road of reforms so that the sacrifices of the Greek people would allow us to achieve high growth rates in the coming years. The most important, however, is the reduce unemployment which is the biggest problem facing the country right now," Mitarachi told ANA-MPA.

"Economic growth returns to Greece, George Zanias, president of Hellenic Bank Association said during a speech on Thursday, adding that the dynamism of Greek banks has been restored while risks have been significantly reduced for the economy. Zanias stressed that Greek banks will meet the stress tests by the European Central Bank.

Costas Botopoulos, president of the Greek Capital Market Commission, speaking to ANA-MPA said that "this year in London has several particularities. First, there is a strongly increased interest. We are talking about a record of interest, meetings and participation of foreign investors, a very important thing for us. Secondly, it is the time that the Road Show is held. Nowadays, no one questions that Greece is on a very good road, macro-economically speaking". He added that foreign investors acknowledged the growth outlook of the country. "What we discuss is how fast can they come and what is their relation with political developments. Therefore, our job as institutional agency and the companies, is to give them the real picture and to say that in our opinion political developments do not affect indirectly the course of an improving Greek economy".

"Today is the opportunity for foreign investors to come to Greece. When they ask us what is the right moment, the answer is now," Botopoulos said.

Socrates Lazaridis, chief executive of Hellenic Exchanges Group, speaking to ANA-MPA said that the aim of a Road Show is to bring the feeling of the global capital market to Greek businessmen and to offer details and information over investment opportunities in the Greek capital market.