TECHNOLOGY & INVESTMENT in Hellas, the Economic Engine of Southeast Europe and Gateway to the Balkans and EU

Minister Sioufas will lead team for Technology & Investments symposium and meetings with global companies in Chicago

CHICAGO, August 31 -- Minister of Development Dimitrios Sioufas will lead a team of Hellenic government officials and will be the keynote speaker at the Symposium οΏ½Technology & Investment in HellasοΏ½ that will be held in Chicago September 29-30.

Speakers at the Symposium are Sec. Gen. Ioannis Tsoukalas, Research & Technology, and Dr. Dimitris Nanopoulos, chairman of the National Council for Research and Technology. The Symposium, which highlights Hellas as the οΏ½Economic Engine of Southeast Europe and the Gateway to the Balkans and EU,οΏ½ aims to attract U.S. technology companies, investment fund managers and venture capitalists to Hellas in establishing high tech enterprises.

οΏ½HellasοΏ½s economy is the most vibrant in the entire Southeast Europe all the way to the countries of the Black Sea and beyond,οΏ½ stated Andrew A. Athens, President of World Council of Hellenes (SAE) and National Chairman of the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC).

οΏ½Hellene scientists and technologists, in Hellas and in the Diaspora, are renowned for their skills, talent and initiative. That is a fact. They are the leading minds in various fields of high technology. With appropriate government policies Hellas can become the next hub of worldwide technological advancement and we are going to do the best we can to support this vision,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said.

Representatives from the Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE) will explain to investors the opportunities available and how to establish themselves in Hellas.

Among the speakers at the Symposium are, Dr. Leo Irakliotis, Associate Chairman of the Computer Science Department and Director of Professional Programs, University of Chicago; Dr. Nick Kanopoulos, Director for Communications and Multimedia, Atmel Corp.; and Dr. Yannis Papakonstantinou, Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University of California.

The first symposium was held last June when more than 100 leading Diaspora scientists and technologists discussed collaboration with universities and enterprises in Hellas. The scientists also established an organization to promote scientific and professional ties with Hellas. The bylaws of that organization will be reviewed at the symposium on Friday, Sept. 30.

Presentations and exchange of information will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29, starting with registration at 7:30 a.m.  Visits by the minister and his team to global technology companies and one-on-one meetings will take place on Friday, Sept. 30. Participants are requested to arrive Wednesday.

The Symposium will be held at the Drake Hotel (a Hilton), 145 E. Walton at Michigan Ave., Chicago. To reserve rooms at the special rate of $245 a night call the hotel before Sept. 9 at +800-553-7253 or +312-787-2200, and ask for the conference on οΏ½Technology & Investment in Hellas.οΏ½  For information about the Symposium send an email to cjm.hellenes@saeworld.org for a prompt reply, or go to www.saeworld.org , and click on the technology box, or call the offices of World SAE/UHAC in Chicago at +312-337-7243.