Greece is becoming a competitive and stable destination for long-term investors, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, speaking at the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) in Athens. The audience included representatives of sovereign wealth funds from around the world.

Recalling that Greece had been under bailout programmes during the previous decade, the Prime Minister noted that significant progress had been made, particularly over the past seven years. He stressed that the country had not merely recovered but had now become a competitive investment destination with growing institutional depth.

He argued that, as a member of both the eurozone and NATO, Greece offers predictability and provides a safe haven in times of turmoil, while offering access to investment opportunities.

The Prime Minister urged investors to take a fresh look at Greece today. The aim, he said, is not to attract capital into individual projects, but to develop integrated investment platforms combining assets, infrastructure, technology and services. He placed particular emphasis on energy and interconnections, data centres, digital transformation, manufacturing, agri-food and high-value tourism.

Mr Mitsotakis also highlighted the energy sector. He said Greece is expanding its renewable energy capacity and investing in electricity grids, interconnections and energy storage. Just two years ago, the country was a net importer of electricity; thanks to renewable energy generation, it has now become a net exporter. At the same time, Greece is not abandoning hydrocarbons. For the first time in 40 years, it is pursuing exploration activities to identify domestic hydrocarbon reserves.

Turning to tourism, he noted that Greece welcomes more than 45 million visitors a year. The next objective is to offer higher-value tourism. On defence, he said that €28 billion will be spent over the next 12 years on modernising the Armed Forces, creating opportunities for start-up companies.

Tomorrow, Finance Minister and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis will also take part in the investors’ meeting.

What is the IFSWF?

The IFSWF is the international association of sovereign wealth funds – funds through which certain countries invest their surpluses in companies, infrastructure and bonds. Its members manage assets worth trillions of dollars.

This year’s 18th Annual Meeting is being held in Athens from 11 to 13 November, bringing together more than 200 fund chairs and senior executives. Its theme examines how major investors are adapting their investment decisions to a world shaped by geopolitical tensions and technological change: ‘Sovereign Capital in a Contested World’.