The historic Hamza Bey Mosque, known as the Alcazar, is set to reclaim its grandeur in Thessaloniki by mid-2026, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni announced during a site visit on Monday. With €11 million from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the restoration of this 15th-century landmark—the city’s oldest Islamic house of prayer—is advancing rapidly, promising to enhance Thessaloniki’s cultural and economic landscape.
Tag: Economic Development
George Frazis is not what you’d call a conventional banker. While most financial executives blend into boardrooms with practiced anonymity, Frazis has spent decades standing out.
Kimberly Guilfoyle expressed her honor at being named the U.S. ambassador to Greece by President-elect Donald Trump. She is eager to strengthen Greek-U.S. relations and emphasized her focus on economic development, education, energy security, and defense collaboration during her upcoming tenure.
The Greek Parliament has passed a new tax bill introduced by the National Economy and Finance Ministry, with the ruling New Democracy party securing its approval amid opposition resistance. The legislation, aimed at boosting incomes and fostering innovation, includes 72 tax cuts and measures to fight tax evasion. Deputy Minister Christos Dimas defended the bill as a step toward strengthening the Greek economy and improving public services, though critics remain divided on its broader implications.
Anogia, a charming village in Crete, has been distinguished among the world’s top 55 tourist villages for 2024 by the UNWTO. Celebrated for its commitment to sustainable tourism, Anogia exemplifies how rural destinations can preserve cultural heritage while promoting economic and environmental sustainability. This recognition reflects a broader initiative to highlight villages where tourism fosters rather than disrupts local traditions.
Amazon invests in three Greek wind farms to power its operations and support Greece’s renewable energy goals. The projects, developed by Aer Soléir, will generate clean energy equivalent to powering nearly 200,000 homes and create hundreds of jobs. This investment aligns with Amazon’s Climate Pledge and Greece’s National Energy and Climate Plan.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking in Nafplio, called for urgent action to bridge Greece’s economic gap with Europe while addressing regional inequalities. At a local development event, he emphasised “double convergence”—ensuring equal opportunities for all Greek citizens, from major cities to rural villages. Mitsotakis highlighted key priorities, including water resource management, support for farmers, and solutions to housing and demographic challenges, while reaffirming his government’s commitment to tax reductions and economic growth.
Gyropolis, a beloved Greek restaurant in Bloomington, has tripled its size with support from the city. Expanding from a 1,400-square-foot space to approximately 4,000 square feet, the restaurant now features more seating, a new kitchen, and a drive-thru for online orders. Owner Constantine Contolatis emphasized the city’s instrumental role in the redevelopment, which transformed a vacant gas station into a thriving community hub. With a soft opening generating significant buzz, Gyropolis is poised for increased business as it continues to serve quality local cuisine.
The Greek Parliament has ratified a key aviation services agreement with China, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation and modernize aviation frameworks between the two nations. Signed in November 2023 during a visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the agreement is expected to boost Greece’s global presence and economic development, particularly in tourism and transport.
President Nicos Christodoulides welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Cyprus for the MED9 Summit, emphasizing regional cooperation. The summit focuses on crucial regional issues, including economic development and security. Additionally, von der Leyen will inaugurate a new Dialysis Unit at Paphos General Hospital, marking progress in local healthcare services. The event aims to strengthen ties among Mediterranean EU member states.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni recently inspected the restoration work at the Kasta Mound in Amphipolis. The project, initially budgeted at €1.5 million, has been expanded with an additional €700,000 to address significant updates and complete the restoration on schedule. Mendoni praised the progress, highlighting the successful restoration of the dome and ongoing efforts to make the site accessible to all visitors.
The European Commission has approved Greece’s fourth payment request of nearly €1 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, following a positive preliminary assessment. The funding will support key projects, including reforestation efforts, energy security improvements, and upgrades to the Greek justice system. The Commission’s assessment will now be reviewed by the Economic and Financial Committee before the final payment decision is made.
Angeliki Kalligiannaki has been appointed as the new Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s operations in Greece, effective 1 September. With her extensive experience in banking and finance, she aims to drive sustainable economic growth in the country by strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders.
The Hellenic Initiative (THI), a global non-profit, is bringing job training and hope to northern Greece with a new Odyssea Youth Center in Thessaloniki. This center expands Odyssea’s successful model of equipping young people, especially those facing disadvantages, with the skills needed for careers in in-demand fields like tourism and construction.
The 2024 Happy City Index reveals a mixed bag for Greek and Cypriot cities. While none cracked the top tier, Athens claims a respectable Silver ranking at 126, demonstrating its commitment to citizen well-being. Thessaloniki, Patras, Pafos, and Larnaca follow in the Bronze category, highlighting both the region’s unique challenges and enduring strengths
In 2023, Greece made progress in reducing the number of young people neither in employment nor education or training (NEET). However, Greece still has the highest NEET rate for young men in the EU at 14.8%, emphasising the need for targeted interventions and continued efforts to provide opportunities for all young people.
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