Greek Ambassador’s Foreword

Nikolaos Garilidis Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Arab Republic of Egypt

Egypt, the “Land of PTA” according to Herodotus, the land of Kibit according to the pharaonic texts, is not a stranger to the Greeks. The first recorded interactions, date back to the 15h century BC. The contacts between the two people have never stopped through the ages and reached a culmination point during the 19th century, first when Mohamed Aly was governing Egypt and second during Khedive Ismail Pasha. A vibrant and creative Greek Community flourished in Egypt till the 1960’s. The bilateral relations are more than excellent: they are strategic, based both on the age long friendship and the common national interests. The number of Greek businessmen currently in Egypt is not big. Yet, the prospects of enhancing the Greek investments in Egypt and the Greek participation in big projects, are very encouraging and are to the mutual benefit of the two countries. More specifically, it is widely understood, that there is ample room for investments in the following sectors: building renewable energy plants (green electricity), dry waste processing units, desalination of water, remove pollution from the sea waters etc. The challenge is high and I am sure that all the Greek Companies, highly specialized in the above sectors, will soon get involved with excellent results. The incentives offered by the Egyptian Government in investing in Egypt are serious and give an added value. The environment is friendly and there are many serious and highly recommendable Egyptian Companies to work with. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development for the initiative to bring to the attention of the Greek entrepreneurs the great opportunities currently offered in Egypt and I am confident that very soon we will have success stories in the above mentioned fields of operation. Wholeheartedly wishing you every success to your efforts.