Greek PM meets ZTE chief on investment plans

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras held a meeting with head of Chinese telecoms firm ZTE Corporation Hou Weigui in Athens on Thursday to discuss a series of investment plans in Greece. In statements to the press after the meeting, Hou reiterated the technological giant's intention to create a significant logistics center at Piraeus, Greece's largest port. Works on the establishment of a production-repair center to be added to a transit center are expected to start by early 2014 so it can be operational within a year, according to the timetable. "We believe these plans will support the country's economy and offer 400-600 new job positions," he said. The investment was included in a memorandum of cooperation signed during the Greek prime minister's visit to China in May. Through this project, ZTE Corp. aims to further penetrate the European market by reducing production and transport costs. On behalf of the Greek government, Greek Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis who also attended the meeting noted that such plans prove the interest of foreign investors for win-win investments in Greece and the increasing international confidence in the country's economic future after three years of painful austerity to exit the debt crisis. "The sacrifices of Greek people are starting to bring results. We continue efforts for further positive news," he said.