French business owners are showing great interest in investing in Greece, Tourism Minister Charis Theocharis told Athens 98.4 radio from Paris on Tuesday, according to ANA.

Theocharis spoke ahead of Wednesday’s forum “Greece, a strategic partner in SE Europe: Confidence returns”, to take place in Paris by the Greek-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We find a positive response and great investment interest from a number of businesses that see our country as a great opportunity,” pointed out Theocharis and elaborated that “the interest of companies in the energy sector is high – the sector of the usual energy resources, in other words – and particularly in the transportation of natural gas, the (hydrocarbon) research off southern Crete and, of course, renewable energy sources.”

On tourism, he said there was a sharp rise in French tourists coming to Greece. “Latest data show a rise of nearly 7-8 pct in arrivals and 14-15 pct in revenues. The French favor Greece, but not mass tourism. They have read up on culture and local tourism,” he added.

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