UHAC/SAE SYMPOSIUM RESULTS IN CREATION OF GREEK FUNDED NGO

CHICAGO SEPTEMBER 30, 2005-- The United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) and the World Council of Hellenes (SAE) yesterday sponsored the symposium, οΏ½Technology and Investment in Greece: The Economic Engine of Southeast Europe and Gateway to the Balkans and the EU,οΏ½ at the Drake Hotel. The event was attended by over 140 people and featured His Excellency, Dimitris Sioufas, Minister of Development of Greece as the keynote speaker. 

The program began with a presentation by Dr. Leo Irakliotis, Associate Chairman of Computer Science at the University of Chicago, who discussed the relationship between academia and industry as the dynamics in a changing economy. Dr. Irakliotis concluded his presentation by calling for the creation of a non-governmental organization to handle technology and investment opportunities in Greece.

οΏ½What Greece needs is an organization that will facilitate interaction among Greek scientists and researchers that would also act as a one stop shop for investors,οΏ½ said Irakliotis.  He continued by saying that this non-governmental organization (NGO) would give entrepreneurs access to technical expertise needed to create businesses and joint venture opportunities between Greece and other countries such as the United States.

At the end of IrakliotisοΏ½ presentation, Minister Sioufas declared that the Ministry of Development would make a commitment to fund the creation of a NGO for the purpose of facilitating networking and investment opportunities in Greece.

οΏ½This is a great accomplishment and we enthusiastically support the creation of such an organizationοΏ½ stated Andrew A. Athens, National Chairman of UHAC and World President of SAE. οΏ½It demonstrates that we are on the right track in assisting Greece with its efforts to attract investors and provide networking opportunities for scientists and researchers working in the field of technology,οΏ½ continued Mr. Athens.

The remainder of the symposium presentations confirmed that Greece is ready for investment and joint venture programs.  The presentation by Abbott Laboratories Hellas, and the Atmel Corporation demonstrated that Greece has the infrastructure, technology and business resources to establish a direct foreign investment program. Creating an NGO to facilitate the networking and investor relations is the first step. 

 οΏ½With the MinisterοΏ½s support this NGO will create exciting new opportunities to invest in Greece and we look forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Development to make it happen,οΏ½ concluded Mr. Athens at the end of the symposium.

For more information, contact the offices of UHAC and SAE at 312-337-7243.