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Most parts of the world are not paying attention to Greece right now. It could be wrong. Its stunning islands, the most well-known for the cities of the sun-viz and the deep historical tihasic roots, are laid the foundation of something less expected in the mute: a modern, elastic technology economy.
When the international spotlight is often missed, something real is happening on the ground, as this editor discovered a few dozen conversations in Athens this week. The country that once stood towards the economic decline could not just rebuild itself as the “innovative nation”. It is transforming clever marketing, including a renewal feeling of policy shifts, investors’ interest and technology and entrepreneurs surrounding the objectives.
Indeed, a Sit He made the case with Greece Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday night that Greece was not only caught, but also ready to move forward. “There are significant places to grow, but he believes that something very real is happening in his country.” The stars are aligned. “
Greece, Mitsotacis explained that several years ago, the Traditional made a “conscious decision” to surpass the traditional economic pillars such as tourism and hospitality. “Tech can be 10% of our economy. It is perfectly done,” he said, referring to the formation of startup, increasing capital flow and an indomitable but involuntary “rumor” of ecosystem. Drawing from his own background at Venture Capital – he founded the first incubator in Greece in 2001 – he often spoke to the president that could not be heard from the presidents.
Although Greece is late at Europe’s Tech Party, that time can actually prove to be a benefit. Since it was not the capital of a bad bet, Greece has removed some inflamed evaluation and failed initiatives that weigh some of the more mature ecosystems. With relatively clean slate, the country is faster at the top of the emerging technologies – especially at the top of the artificial intelligence.
In AI, the Prime Minister not only sees the opportunity to catch, but also see the opportunity to move forward. “We want to use technology for lipphroogs,” he said. “Not just for catching, but in reality much better than many European countries.” He pointed to Greece’s success in digitalizing public services-he said that in some cases, Germany has exceeded even more-and in pilot programs like Microsoft-backed AI systems, which reduces the review of the government agreement for several hours to several minutes.
The dual strategy of nurturing startups during the modernization of the government creates the backbone of Greece’s AI ambition. Mitsotakis imagined Greece as a laboratory for responsible innovation, especially in the national field of health, civic protection and defense. “We are just talking about what the startup community is doing. We are technology clients. And we want to get another startup mentality as a government.”
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One of the main pillars of this transformation is talent. Greece is working to reverses the brain drain that thousands of skilled workers were in the financial crisis. “There is a tax break – 50% discount on income tax for seven years,” he also acknowledged that “people will not just return for tax breaks. If they have good job opportunities, they will come back, if they think they can reward something, and they can actually increase their business in Greece.”
To that end, we touched two new programs launched last year designed to bring skilled foreign workers and entrepreneurs to the country. Although the initiatives are still in the pipeline, they reflect a broad promise to openness. “This is a global war for talent,” said Mitsotakis. ” “We need to make it easy for people to come back to Greek talent or to live here anywhere”
Mitsotacis also emphasized the importance of expansion of technology outside Athens, hubs originated in Thessaloniki, Heraclion and other university cities. “It should also be the story of regional development.”
Nevertheless, the Prime Minister acknowledges the ongoing challenges, including the speed of legal reforms, the need for the late-level capital, and the complexity of doing business across the European market. However, he believes that Greece is now in contrast to the depth of the crisis, forecasts, stability and speed. “Is this country the right side?” He ordered hearing. “The answer is yes.”
The ultimate goal for Mitsotakis is to make Greece’s progress “irreversible”. Although the legacy building is not his focus, he said that Mitsotakis and about 300 investors and founders who gathered to sit down-some of which have come back to London and elsewhere in Greece-clearly want to make sure that the country progresses.
“We cannot [perform] Miracle, “Mitsotakis says.” We cannot make lost land within a few years. But I think we broke the wicked cycle of the past and I see both the private sector and the government as a great opportunity for both. “
You can catch our entire interview with Mitsotakis at the bottom.