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Western Macedonia Investment Profile

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Western Macedonia Investment Profile Region of Western Macedonia Investment Profile June 2018 Contents 1. Profile of the Region of Western Macedonia 2. Western Macedonia’s competitive advantages 3. Investment Opportunities 1. Profile of the Region of Western Macedonia 2. Western Macedonia’s competitive advantages 3. Investment Opportunities 4. Investment Incentives Region of Western Macedonia: Quick facts (I) Western Macedonia, a region in North - Western Greece, includes the Regional Units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria and Kozani. •The Region of Western Macedonia covers a total surface of 9451 km2, 7.2% of country’s total. The nature of the region is mountainous, while river Aliakmonas travels down through it. •On the north it borders with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania, while in Greece borders on the east with the Region of Central Macedonia, on the south with the Region of Thessaly and on the west with the region of Epirus. •It is the only Greek region without sea coast, but on the other side there are a lot of lakes, mountains, picturesque villages and two big ski centers in Florina (Vigla) and Grevena (Vasilitsa). •The Region is well-known for its rich natural resources, such as fossil fuels4.(lignite), Investmentores (asbestos, Incentiveschromite, marble etc.), forests (50% of its total land) that form ecosystems defined by rich biodiversity, as well as pastures, while it also has the greatest surface water potential in Greece (approximately 65% of the country). •Key cities include namely Kozani (the largest city and capital of the Region) , Ptolemaida, Grevena, Florina, Kastoria. Region of Western Macedonia : Quick facts (II) Demographics and Workforce quick facts Population: 283,689 (2011) 2.62% of the total Greek population Main macroeconomic data of the Region of Western Macedonia 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 GDP* 4,724 4,398 4,530 4,304 n.a. GDP per capita** 16,711 15,707 16,320 15,642 n.a. 4. Investment Incentives Gross fixed capital 1,071 1,071 929 911 n.a. formation* Workforce (‘000) 114.4 112.6 113.9 117.0 118.0 Unemployment 29.7 31.6 27.6 30.8 31.3 Rate (%) *In million euro **In euro Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority Significant performance indicators Gross Value Added by Industry 2015 (Region of Western Macedonia) Industry/ Sector Gross Value Added (amount in % in total GVA of the Region million euro) Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 254 6.68% Mining, energy, water supply and 1555 40.91% waste management Manufacturing 182 4.79% Construction 82 2.16% Trade, transportation and storage, 388 10.21% accommodation and food service activities Information and Communication 38 1.00% Financial and Insurance activities 86 2.26% 4.Real Investment Estate activities Incentives338 8.89% Scientific, administrative and support 106 2.79% service activities Public administration, education, 672 17.68% health and social work activities Arts, recreation and other service 100 2.63% activities Total 3,801 100.00% Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority data processed by Enterprise Greece 1. Profile of the Region of Western Macedonia 2. Western Macedonia’s competitive advantages 3. Investment Opportunities 4. Investment Incentives Natural and Cultural Treasures The nature of the region is mountainous, as 82% of the total surface are mountainous and semi-mountainous areas. The region has two National Parks, sixteen NATURA areas of immense natural beauty and totally 1.707 km2, three ski centers, eight lakes (seven natural and one artificial), gorges, rivers, interesting geological formations, two world trekking paths, remarkable traditional settlements, a great number of archaeological sites and a plethora of Byzantine monuments of international interest. Aliakmonas river is the longest river in Greece, with a total length of 297 km. It flows through the Greek regions of West Macedonia (Kastoria, Grevena and Kozani regional units) and Central Macedonia (Imathia and Pieria regional units). The protected area of Northern Pindos is one of the most important areas at both national and European levels. It uniquely combines natural and man- made environments and geographically unifies the pre-existing National Forests of Pindos (Valia Kalda) and Vikos-Aoos. The mount range of Pindos is the largest in Greece and supplies water to the two thirds of the Greek population. A very important part of the mountain, which stands for its rare beauty and ecological value, is protected by two national parks: the national park of Vikos – Aoos in Epirus and the park of Valia Kalda in Western Macedonia The lake of Kastoria, one of the most beautiful in the Balkans covers an area of about 28 square kilometers and its maximum depth is 9.5 meters. In the region, there are nine streams flowing into the lake. Agricultural Production •Greek saffron is considered one of the best varieties in the world, of excellent quality, aroma and color. In Kozani, flowers from the Crocus sativus plant are cultivated by the Saffron Producers Cooperative, which is based in the village of Krokos. Here, some of the best quality, organic and Protected Designation of Origin-certified saffron is grown and marketed as Krokos Kozanis. Annual production, depending on weather conditions, ranges from 6 to 12 tons of pure red saffron each year. •It is estimated that more than 1,300 different species of mushrooms grow in Grevena; it is therefore logically referred to as the country of mushrooms! Extremely rare European species of mushrooms have been found here. •Western Macedonia has a long history in viniculture and in production of high-quality wines. It produces the significant AOHQ wines (Appellation of Origin of High Quality) and also other local wines. •The main occupation of the Prespa residents today, is the cultivation of beans. Prespa beans are very tasty and considered among the best in the world. •The Florina peppers constitute for years the established local delicacy of the homonymous region and an integral part of the daily diet of the residents. •The world famous Kastoria legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas) are cultivated in the area for 7500 years Education and research (Ι) • Τhe University of Western Macedonia (UoWM) was established on 2002 by four departments that had previously formed part of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The University today consists of three Schools and six Departments, offering undergraduate and postgraduate study programs. The University of Western Macedonia employs 91 members of teaching and research staff and 51 employees in its administration. There are about 4,000 students (undergraduate and postgraduate students). • The Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia (TEIWM) is a state-run institute of highest education based in Kozani. The institution also operates satellite campuses in the nearby towns of Kastoria, Florina, Grevena and Ptolemaida. It was founded in 1976 as a vocational school, and was accredited as a Higher (1983) and later Highest (2001) Educational Institution. Source: https://www.uowm.gr Education and research (ΙΙ) Faculty of Education (based in Florina) Department of Primary Education Department of Early Childhood Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Fine and Applied Arts (Florina) Faculty of Engineering (based in Kozani) Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering Department of Environmental Engineering Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia School of Engineering School of Business and Finance School of Agriculture Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition School of Health and Welfare Source: https://www. .teiwm.gr Transport Infrastructure The Region is served by two airports in Kozani and Kastoria, the national highway, the “Egnatia Road” that extends from Panagia (Brown Bear Area) to Polymylos and the railway network. Airports Kozani Airport “Filippos” Kastoria Airport “Aristotelis” The Egnatia Motorway (I) The section of the Egnatia Motorway crossing Western Macedonia extends from Panagia (Brown Bears Area) to Polymylos and has a total length of approximately 110 km. The motorway has a four-dimensional cross- section of 24.5m (or 22m in the mountainous difficult sections) with two lanes and an Emergency Lane per direction and separation of the two branches with a central islet. The total cost for the completion of 110 km of the motorway from Panagia to Polygyros amounts to 933 million € (excluding VAT). The funding of the projects is made from national and Community funds from the operational program Accession and Road Axes of the 2nd Community Support Framework’’ and "Road Axes, Ports, Urban Development" of the 3rd Community Support Framework. Source: http://www.egnatia.eu The Egnatia Motorway (II) Major Technical Projects : The construction of the project in Western Macedonia has had particular difficulties as the road crossed the mountainous area of ​​Pindos, crossing areas of flora and fauna of particular environmental sensitivity, most notably the brown bear habitat. Privatization. Seven investment schemes, meet the criteria for participation in the second phase of the tenders for granting the right to use and exploit the Egnatia Motorway: 1. ANAS International Enterprise S.p.A. 2.FREYJA HOLDINGS SARL [Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 L.P. / Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 SCSp] 3. ROADIS Transportation Holding S.L.U. – AKTOR Α.Ε. 4.SICHUAN COMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENT GROUP CO., LTD – DAMCO ENERGY S.A. 5.VINCI HIGHWAYS S.A.S – VINCI CONCESSIONS S.A.S – MYTILINEOS HOLDINGS S.A. 6. GEK TERNA Α.Ε. – EGIS PROJECTS S.A. 7. DIOLIKOS KATASKEUASTIKH ΑΤΕ. Source: http://www.egnatia.eu AIRPORTS OF WESTERN MACEDONIA (I) Aristotle's State Airport Kastoria is located 10 km from the city of Kastoria in Argos Orestiko. Refurbishments and extensions made at the airport runway rank it among those with international standards that can accommodate large aircraft. Astra Airlines operates flights to Athens every week. However, the mountainous area creates difficulties in transport several times during the winter months. FACILITIES: One passenger terminal. Aircraft parking spaces: Two B737 aircraft parking spaces. Space for parking light aircraft of 2000 m2 area.
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