Invest in Prosperous Business Ventures Western Greece Investment Profile Western Greece
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February 2021 Let Greece inspire you! Invest in prosperous business ventures Western Greece Investment Profile Western Greece Aetolia - Acarnania Overview Messolonghi --- Western Greece is one of the thirteen administrative Patras regions of Greece. It comprises the western part of Achaea continental Greece and the northwestern part of the Peloponnese Ilia --- The region occupies an area of 11,330 sq. km. and its population is, according to 2011 census, at 651.000 Pyrgos inhabitants. --- The capital of the Western Greece is Patras, the third-largest-city in the country with a population of its municipality about 213,900 inhabitants (2011). --- Western Greece is divided into three regional units, Aetolia-Acarnania in Central Greece and Achaea and Ilia in the Peloponnese, which are further subdivided into 19 municipalities. --- Some of the mayor communities in Western Greece are: --- Patra --- Aigio --- Nafpaktos --- Amaliada --- Mesologgi --- Pyrgos --- Agrinio --- Main economic activities include agriculture and tourism services --- Western Greece is quickly becoming one of the top tourism destinations in Greece. The emergence of Western Greece new hotel units and new investments in the area have strengthened the local economy and are currently changing the overall profile of economic Overview activity Western Greece: Quick Facts Investment incentives law Workforce quick facts Main quick facts Labor force macroeconomic data (2019) Under the Investment Incentives Law, 296.800 Population Western Greece enjoys attractive investment 651.000 (2019) incentives varying from 35% to 55% of the Employed total investment cost, according to the area (2019) and the size of the company 252.900 Share of The Law focuses on supporting sustainable Greek population investment projects with efficient tax breaks, Unemployed rate 16% (2019) favorable loans and state aids in selected 14,8% (2019) business activities GDP Regional Development Fund (ERDF): (2018) 326,269,401.00 € 8,3ml € European Social Fund (ESF): 66,519,182.00 € Source: europa.eu, Hellenic Statistical Authority Natural Treasures --- Western Greece is --- Furthermore, the Region is --- The geomorphology of Western privileged in terms of the characterized by the existence Greece has great diversity. It natural environment. The of protected aesthetic forests includes mountains with a very region accommodates and monuments, and vital high altitude (Aroania 2.335m, many, various and places of great natural beauty. Erymanthos 2.222m, Panachaiko significantly sensitive 1.926m), large natural lakes --- The total area of the Region is ecosystems. Three of the (Trichonida 95,8km2, which is the 11.330 km2 and covers 8.6% of eleven wetlands of largest of the country, Amvrakia the total area of the country. The international importance 14,4km2, Lysimachia 13m2, Kaiafa largest percentage of the land is that exist in Greece and etc.) and rivers mountainous (45.3%) and hilly that have joined the (Acheloos 220 km, (25.6%), while only 29.1% is flat. Ramsar agreement, are in which is the second Western Greece has an Western Greece. They are: river in length of extensive coastline, bordering Greece, Peneus, --- Lagoon of Messologi with the Ionian Sea and the Gulf Alpheus, Evinos, of Amvrakikos, Patras and --- Amvrakikos Gulf Selinountas, Vouraikos, Corinth. Peiros and Glaucus). --- Lake Kotychi Transport Infrastructure New highways access Two international airports in to Athens, Epirus and Aktion and Araxos, and two the rest of Peloponnese The region of local airports in Agrinio and and a vast network of Western Greece Mesologgi well-connected national is served by: roads Developed railway network Six ports: Patras, Killini, Katakolo, Amfilochia, Egio, Messolonghi. There is also an Industrial Port Zone at Astakos, Etoloakarnania Investment Opportunities Western Greece offers an ideal environment for investment Western Greece boasts a number of --- Tourism and Cultural sites (the famous --- Operation of Research Institutes of attractive features such as: Ancient Olympia, the Ancient Elis, the International caliber --- Strategic location linking the host city of Olympic Games etc) --- Rich Aquatic Resources Peloponnese with the mainland Greece --- Environmental resources that are and Epirus. It is regarded as the protected by international conventions western gateway to the Adriatic Sea (NATURA, RAMSAR) and Western Europe --- Great existing infrastructure (New Port --- The organized industrial area (VI.PE of of Patras, Commercial port Platygiali Patras) and the industrial park Glaukou Astakos, PATHE, Rio- Antirio Bridge) of Patras (VIO.PA) are providing provides direct access to markets both opportunities for further development domestic and overseas of manufacturing activities --- Opportunity for further development of Wind & Hydro Energy Industrial Areas infrastructure Under the new Investment Incentives Law L.4399/2016, Western Greece enjoys attractive Investment investment incentives varying from incentives 35% to 55% of the total investment cost, according to the size of the company and the region of the country in which the project will be implemented. All aid schemes The aid schemes of the Law include: are provided --- Tax exemptions individually or in --- Cash grants combination and --- Leasing subsidies they are --- Wage costs subsidy calculated --- Stable corporate tax rate for 12 years cumulatively for --- Financing of business risk through loans the determination or equity of the total aid --- Fast track licensing Investment opportunities in major sectors Tourism ICT Life Sciences Renewable Energy Sources Food & Beverage Waste Management Investment Opportunities in Tourism Agrotourism Unique competitive advantages Eco Tourism Long unexploited pristine Therapeutic Patras Port: The main beaches. Tourism (western) entrance of Unique archaeological sites and historic Greece to Europe. The places of great importance: Olympia: The A Region of unspoiled natural ports facilities also birthplace of the Olympic Games, beauty: Ecological areas and Existing infrastructure and include the marina of Mesollonghi: The sacred town of the Greek protected areas like undergoing projects will Patras with 450 berths War for Independence. Amvrakikos Bay, Messolongi improve accessibility: Lagoons, Kotichi Bay. Rio-Antirrio bridge, two Katakolo Port: One of Pubic and private Investments, implemented airports, new highways the most visited cruiser and in the pipeline, highly upgrade the mix of Cultural Tourism connecting the Region with ports in the country, the tourism product in the region Athens, Epirus, the rest of with major hospitality Peloponnese. Existing road and infrastructure Development network exceeds 895km projects in the area of existing state & private assets Investment Opportunities in Tourism The upcoming privatization of Cultural and Development of the port of religious tourism Public Tourist Katakolo Investment exploiting the Real Estate Important tourism excellent potential opportunities in Assets investments in Ilia to upgrade the of the region Tourism sector tourism product of emerge from the the Region The upcoming The existence of development country’s environmentally of Patras’ port privatization protected areas, caves, gorges to program develop special forms of tourism Cruise subsector around Patra and Katakolo Port which is the busiest cruise port in Greece Investment opportunities: RES Exploration and Development of hydrocarbon re- The Greek RES market has grown with a very serves (onshore and offshore) strong pace. Western Greece occupies 14% of wind Energy Efficiency and Storage and 9% of solar total installed capacity of the country, High-end Energy R&D projects showing a 334% increase within the last 7 years WTE projects (new framework) Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority, Hellenic Association of Energy Economics Investment Opportunities in Energy and Technology From start-ups to research centres of global ICT giants, the ICT scene benefits from highly-skilled per- sonnel at competitive costs The de-regulated Energy market currently provides many investment opportunities in the region of South Aegean: --- Electricity production (new RES and “clean” thermal power plants) --- Gas and Electricity, Grids and distribution networks expansion Investment opportunities in major sectors Depending on the advantages to be exploited, different projects can be realized Software development Areas of R&D Excellent talent pool expertise in Patras Microchip and MEMS design Information and Competitive wages R&D lab Communication Technology SEE (MENA) or EU service center Pharmaceuticals Geographic location SEE (MENA) or EU training center Nanotechnologies Renewable Energy Regional support center Strong market Sources Regional headquarters Chemicals Research Top notch research takes place in the Technology cluster of Patras, offering Thessaloniki highly attractive location opportunities for high-tech companies --- Foundation for Research and Development Athens Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Patra Business attribute Chemical Processes (ICE-HT) Well educated labor force --- Patras Science Park (PSP) University/ Private sector --- University of Patras Iraklio cooperation potential Research Academic Computer Technology Institute Language expertise Industrial Systems Institute Business parks / incubators Institute of Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Materials Industrial areas Institute of Environmental and Applied Biology Investment incentives Institute of Genetic Diseases and