The Athens Stock Exchange And The American-Hellenic Chamber Of Commerce Host The 3rd Greek Investment Forum In New York

NEW YORK and ATHENS, Greece, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX) and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) are hosting the 3^rd Greek Investment Forum, "GRforGRowth," on June 11 and the ATHEX Roadshow on June 11-12, at the Harmonie Club in New York City.  To register and view the full list of participating companies and speakers, please visit www.amcham.gr or www.helex.gr.

The Forum aims to inform the US business community on the significant new investment opportunities that have emerged as a result of structural reforms and Greece's ongoing efforts to recover from the severe effects of the economic crisis and boost its economy.

Forum participants will include key government officials and prominent US and Greek business leaders, such as Christos Staikouras, Alternate Minister of Finance; Notis Mitarachi, Deputy Minister of Development & Competitiveness; Yiannis Emiris, CEO of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund; and Stephanos Issaias, CEO, Enterprise Greece. The country's most promising companies representing key growth sectors, including real estate, energy, retail and technology, will be in attendance to participate in the roadshow.

"After a period of great uncertainty, Greece's business climate is improving rapidly, making this an opportune time to invest in the country," said Simos Anastasopoulos, President of AmCham.  "Favorable pricing, new financial incentives and the implementation of extensive structural reforms have created a plethora of compelling investment opportunities, in both the private and public sectors, which we intend to showcase at the Forum."

Four years after Greece received its first bailout package, the country is not only showing signs of an economic recovery, but undergoing what some consider an astonishing financial rebound.  In recent weeks Greece returned to the markets with a $4.2 billion bond offering, at a yield of 4.95%, which drew orders exceeding $20 billion from private investors; the country recorded a primary surplus of €1.5 billion in 2013; and the Athens composite index is up more than 23% over the past 12 months.

"These latest developments mirror the remarkable progress Greece has made thus far, turning the country into a solid destination for foreign investors. I believe we now have a great opportunity to capitalize on positive market sentiment and give our economy the boost it deserves," said Socrates Lazaridis, Chairman of the Athens Exchange.  "As part of our commitment to growth in the Greek markets, I am confident that both the Forum and the roadshow will serve to strengthen economic opportunities for Greek listed companies and entrepreneurs, as well as support the positive initiatives taken on a national level to attract foreign direct investment."

About the Athens Exchange Group
The Athens Exchange Group (ATHEXGroup) operates the Greek cash and derivatives markets. The Group offers trading in stocks and derivatives through the Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX); clearing through its subsidiary ATHEXClear; and settlement and registry services through its subsidiary Hellenic Central Securities Depository. Through the Hellenic Corporate Governance Council – collaboration with the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises – the Group provides corporate governance expertise and monitors the implementation of the Hellenic Corporate Governance Code.

As of May 2014 the Exchange has 250 listed companies, a market capitalization of €75.4bn, an average daily turnover of €138m and an average daily trading volume of 87.9m shares. The exchange has attracted significant capital flows from abroad; more than 50% of the total market capitalization is in the hands of international investors, who on average are responsible for 50% of trading activity by value.

ATHEX was listed on the Athens Stock Exchange in August 2000; it was fully privatized in 2003. Today, ATHEX has a market capitalization of €550m.

About The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest and most active American chambers in Europe. It was established in 1932 to promote economic and business relations between the United States and Greece. It is a wholly autonomous, not-for-profit organization and receives no subsidy from any government body. With a corporate membership today of some 1.000 companies operating in Greece, that include American companies doing business in Greece and major Greek enterprises doing business in or with the U.S., the Chamber continues to encourage and facilitate trade, investment and professional partnerships from both sides of the Atlantic.  The Chamber is a fully accredited member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., and affiliated with the European Council of American Chambers of Commerce (ECACC).

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SOURCE The Athens Stock Exchange; The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce