Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-20 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Greek tourism outperforms in 2016 [02] European Commission sees Greece as an energy hub in the Mediterranean, EU Commissioner Canete tells ANA [03] Italian investments in Greece reach 2.0 bln euros --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Greek tourism outperforms in 2016 The Greek tourism sector outperformed in 2016 with more than 27.5 million tourists visiting the country. "We met the target of an additional 1.5 million tourists compared to 2015 and international arrivals reached 2.5 million tourists in 2016," Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) president Andreas Andreadis said in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA). Andreadis expressed his optimism over the performance of tourism in 2017 as bookings are very encouraging. [02] European Commission sees Greece as an energy hub in the Mediterranean, EU Commissioner Canete tells ANA EU considers Greece an energy hub for the natural gas and electricity in eastern Mediterranean in the context of the European policy for energy sufficiency and security as well as for competitive prices, stated to Athens Macedonian News Agency, European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Miguel Arias Canete that paid a visit to Greece. Canete emphasised on European Commission's initiative for a special energy growth plan for the Greek island starting in the summer along with the first forum that will be held on Crete. The plan offers the opportunity for energy production from renewable energy sources in many islands together and separately on each island as well as of its saving. Every investment in energy means growth and job positions, noted Canete adding that there will be funding tools for the support of the necessary infrastructure such as the so-called Juncker plan adding that the Commission will support Greece throughout the energy sector reform process. [03] Italian investments in Greece reach 2.0 bln euros Italian investments in Greece reached around 2.0 billion euros in the period 1992-2015, of which around 900 million were made in the period 2003-2015, a Foreign ministry report published in the ministry's website on exports said. Italian investments cover around 10 pct of total foreign investments in Greece in the period 1992-2015 and around 5.0 pct of total foreign direct investments in the period 2003-2015. These figures show that although Italy was initially one of the most active investors in the Greek market, investment interest waned in the last decade compared with other countries. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group recently acquired TRAINOSE for 45 million euros. Greek investments in Italy reached around 230 million euros, the Foreign ministry report said.