A project of the United Hellenic American Congress and the World Council of Hellenes

οΏ½DonοΏ½t Miss GreeceοΏ½ technology symposiums open door to Diaspora,feature Hellas as emerging tech center attractive to foreign investment

CHICAGO, Oct. 5 οΏ½ The successful completion of the second round in programs highlighting Greece as an emerging world technology hub sets the stage for the active participation of the Diaspora in the development of this sector in the mother country, it was announced today by Andrew A. Athens, President of World SAE and National Chairman of UHAC.

οΏ½We are launching a series of in-depth activities and focused programs whose target is to guide companies and investors to select Greece for research and development of software and other high tech products,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said.

οΏ½DonοΏ½t Miss GreeceοΏ½ is the slogan of this campaign, urging investors to select Greece while it is still early οΏ½ and therefore more profitable οΏ½ in the development of the country as the center for high technology activities with global reach.

οΏ½As our two symposiums demonstrated, Hellenism is blessed with the two ingredients necessary to nurture technology and economic development: Innovative scientists and financially strong entrepreneurs. Also important factors are changes in Greek laws and the creation of incentives for foreign investment, many of which have already been implemented by the Greek government.  Therefore, we are optimistic that we are on the right action path.οΏ½

The Symposium last week attracted about 150 participants and focused on technology and investment companies, but also drew scientists and technologists.  Among presenters at the Symposium were Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, who was the keynote speaker, and Sec. Gen. for Research and Technology, Ioannis Tsoukalas.  Tsoukalas and Professor Dimitris Makios, Patras University, met  privately with companies that requested one-on-one meetings for orientation on issues of specific interest.

The Greek Ministries of Development and of National Economy were among sponsors of the Symposium. On the American side, sponsors and collaborating partners included the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Illinois Departments of Commerce, Calamos Investments, and the Technology Association of Illinois. Abbott Laboratories Hellas was among technology companies that sponsored the event.

Sioufas also announced during the Symposium, that the ministry will support financially the establishment of a worldwide non-government organization (NGO) for Hellene scientists. Scientists at the first Symposium had decided to organize such a group for the purpose of networking and encouraging technological advancement in Greece.

The first Symposium, in early June, drew about 130 Hellene scientists and technologists and determined that almost all were willing to either return to Greece to work or to create professional links with companies and institutions in Greece. 

The Symposiums and the continuing programs are organized by the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) and the World Council of Hellenes. To receive more information on the technology programs, to receive updates and to contribute ideas or suggestions go to the website www.saeworld.org or send an email to cjm.hellenes@saeworld.org.

Photo 1: Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas (right) receives a plaque from Andrew A. Athens honoring him for his keynote speech at, and support of, the Symposium on Technology and Investment in Hellas, held in Chicago.  On behalf of the United Hellenic American Congress and the World Council of Hellenes, organizers of the Symposium, Mr. Athens also honored the other speakers who came from Greece and other parts of the U.S.

Photo 2: Overview of the scientists and representatives of technology and investment companies, about 150, who attended the symposium.  At the front are, from left, Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas; Consul General of Greece Aliki Hadji; Andrew A. Athens; Ioannis Tsoukalas, Gen. Sec. for Research and Technology in the ministry of development; and John Calamos Sr., of Calamos Investments, a leading investments management firm.

Photo 3: Among the panelists at the Symposium are (from left) Pascal Apostolides, from Athens, Managing Director and Executive Vice President  of Abbott Laboratories Hellas; Dr. Dimitris Nanopoulos, physics professor at Texas A&M, and Chairman, National Council for Research and Technology, Greece; and Dr. Nicholas Askounes Ashford, professor, MIT, and Co-Chair, U.S.-Greece Initiative for Technology in the Balkans.