“Today is a very important day not only for Igoumenitsa but for the whole of the Epirus region, which is really embarking on a journey into a new era from its largest port,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined on Friday during his speech at the ceremony for the sale of the majority package of shares (67%) of the Igoumenitsa Port Organisation to a joint venture led by the Italian Grimaldi group.
“The transfer of the management of the port of Igoumenitsa to a large shipping giant such as the Grimaldi group means further development for both the national and the local economy. It is an important investment with significant revenues for the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) that exceeds 84 million euros. An investment that will act as a driving force of progress for more jobs, for a better life throughout Western Greece,” the prime minister said and added: “Igoumenitsa is the third largest port of the country, it is a critical gateway of the country, a vital link for the supply chain and the markets in what is essentially the western gateway of the country to Europe. A bridge for passengers and goods to and from Italy and at the same time a hub connecting the Ionian and Adriatic with the entire southeastern Mediterranean. We are therefore talking about an important international port, which is being upgraded and will give a significant boost to many areas of economic and social life.”
Mitsotakis said that in combination with other projects that will be carried out in Igoumenitsa, Sivota, Plataria, and Sagiada, the prefecture of Thesprotia will emerge as a tourist destination, as a stopping point for cruises and a yachting destination.
Furthermore, he stressed that the Grimaldi group is also interested in the port of Heraklion, Crete, and the relevant sales contract will be signed soon.
He also pointed out that the president and CEO of the Grimaldi group, Emmanuel Grimaldi, who spoke at the ceremony, said that he would bring decarbonization technology to the port of Igoumenitsa so that it becomes a model port in the green transition.
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