Foreign funds interested inGreek investments

Still, the firms inform Ms Sakelaridis that the funds are asking for profit guarantees and low stock prices, two obstacles in developing ventures.

One of the factors influencing the potential ventures is the 4.3% drop in exports recorded last January. Ms Sakelaridis points out the figure is slightly misleading, because compared with last year, the drop is only 1.69%. Also, some branches are actually doing well considering the current economic climate. Among them, food, agricultural products and some industrial products.

The international two day conference organized at the Hilton Hotel for 18 and 19 March is under the auspices of the Foreign ministry, the Development ministry and the Athens municipality. It aims at reinforcing exports by pushing for transparency in state policy and eliminating tax obstacles.

The conference has plenty of high profile guests, including President of the Republic (who will be inaugurating it), Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and government vice president Evangelos Venizelos.