Greek Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos met with U.S. billionaire and Red Apple Group founder John Catsimatidis to discuss strengthening economic ties and boosting American investment in Greece, the minister announced.

A proposal for the creation of a large research center in Greece with 100 highly specialized scientific jobs that was recently proposed to a large multinational met with immediate rejection, because of the disproportionate employer contributions it ought to pay and the specific case is not the only one.

Addressing the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce annual New Year’s event last week in Athens, US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt expressed his optimism that 2018 would be a year of recovery for Greece, while all the more US investors are seeking ways to collaborate with Greek enterprises.