China promises new investments in Greece

Speaking during the signing of an agreement between the Chinese Cosco and American Hewlett-Packard for the transportation of products of the latter to Southeastern and Central Europe through the port of Piraeus and the TRAINOSE rail network, Chinese ambassador Du Qiwen expressed his country's wish to make more investments in Greece.

The Chinese ambassador even made Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras laugh when in broken Greek, he likened this collaboration with "a child of Piraeus, as in the song by Melina Mercouri," adding that his country would want these partnerships to become "two and three and four children…"

U.S. ambassador in Athens Daniel Smith said: "I firmly believe that HP's vote of confidence in Greece will contribute to the creation of jobs and the economic recovery of the country, and will also send a strong message to other companies to invest in Greece. It is my desire to pursue more investments in Greece by U.S. and international companies."

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras expressed his absolute satisfaction with the signing of this agreement: "I was informed along with the other guests on the progress of these investments, despite the recessionary conditions prevailing in our country, and about Cosco’s future plans that will shield the investments and create new impetus for the movement of containers, puttin Piraeus on the international map of global transport. Such investments help our country in tackling unemployment, which remains the top issue on the government’s agenda."

"There are no magic solutions to unemployment. Only dynamic collaborations and moves like this, to the benefit of our society. I want to thank both of these companies, as the current signing will symbolize a new beginning for Piraeus and the Greek economy, and provide evidence that we can cope in the way we Greeks know in this difficult period, giving the right of hope and optimism especially to young people," the premier added.

The deal was sealed with the completion of the Ikonio line, which connects Piraeus’ port with the railway stations of Europe, which in turn will help realise the creation of the necessary transport chain on the part of TRAINOSE.