Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed out on Thursday the government's choice and vision to invest in and promote Greece's digital leap, with the aim of improving services to citizens, but also supporting and developing the economy - with Google playing an important role.
Mitsotakis spoke of a "silent revolution" that has taken place over the last three years in Greece, with the rapid use of digital technology by the state in the field of serving citizens.
Speaking at the event for the presentation of Google's investment plans in Greece, held at the "Stavros Niarchos Foundation", Mitsotakis initially thanked Google "for its trust during all these years of the crisis which strengthened its presence in our country.
He also emphasised that GDP growth in Greece now far exceeds the average, while he spoke of an "explosion of record investments, exports and the most dynamic reduction of unemployment," as well as the return of young scientists to Greece.
Mitsotakis noted that the state stands by households and businesses, and underlined that he never hid his vision for a great digital leap for the country, outlined in the "Greece 2.0" plan.
He stressed that Google is aligning itself with this direction and its plan for Greece will create approximately "20,000 well-paid jobs".
Mitsotakis noted that investments in cutting-edge sectors are a constant priority of the government, not only because they create national wealth and stop young people from leaving the country but also because they mobilise and modernise business activity, and upgrade Greece on the world map of capital distribution.
"This is a permanent reform process in the digital transformation of not only large but also medium and small businesses, such as those in tourism that use digital marketing tools to promote their product," Mitsotakis said.
He added that more than 10 billion euros from the Recovery Fund and the NSRF will be channeled in all production sectors, from the primary sector to industry and services.
The prime minister referred to the use of digital technology by the public, emphasising that leaps have been made in serving citizens, and adding that a new institutional reform will help the public and private sectors to also join in the technology leap of the future.
Mitsotakis welcomed Google's decision to create two centres of excellence in Thessaloniki and Patras, while he said that 10,000 unemployed people upgraded their skills because of the company's cooperation with the employment ministry.
He concluded by referring to the words of the founder of Google: "Optimism is important because it helps you to dare things that most people wouldn't do. We dare, and I'm sure we'll have you at our side."
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