A Greek-Egyptian business forum started in Cairo on Thursday, in order to discuss Greek-Egyptian openings and find serious ways to boost Greek business in Egypt. "There are about 120 Greek companies working in Egypt and we are discussing how to help these companies sustain their success here in the future, as well as removing any obstacles to investment," said Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis during his opening speech in the forum. “The Greek government wants to boost investments between the Egyptian private sector and Greece,” added Kouvelis, stressing that the geographic proximity of the two countries will help facilitate investments. The Greek business sector is focusing mainly on energy, transport and maritime co-operation, working with the Egyptian private sector. The forum was also attended by Ionis Patsiavos of the Federation of Greek Industries; Osama Saleh, Chairman of Egypt's General Authority for Free Trade Investments (GAFI); FEI officials; and a number of representatives of Greek business companies in Egypt, who want more stability in the Egyptian market after the recent revolution. Greek investors with businesses in Egypt said that other Greek businessmen should not to be afraid of investing here, as the Egyptian Government will help solve all their problems. Kouvelis said that the near future would offer good opportunities for business between the two countries, adding that their mutual economic co-operation will grow in the wake of the Egyptian revolution.
