Athens, September 16, 2025 — Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the launch of the Hellenic Innovation & Infrastructure Fund (HIIF) the Athens International Investor Summit (AIIS): Investing in Innovation and Infrastructure as Drivers of Growth. The Summit convened senior international investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, including more than 40 global institutions representing over $20 trillion in assets. The Summit underscored Greece’s emergence as a low-risk, high-upside destination for institutional capital, backed by sound policy, reform momentum, and a clear strategic vision.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, underlined the country’s economic transformation: “I believe there is now a broad understanding that this new chapter for Greece is here to stay. My responsibility is to ensure that the reforms we have implemented are irreversible. That is my commitment to the investment community. We are growing at a pace far above the Eurozone average, while at the same time reducing taxes, encouraging private investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and improving the overall business environment”.
He was joined by Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, a part of BlackRock, and Philipp Hildebrand, Vice Chairman of BlackRock.
Mr. Hildebrand said: “Greece’s economic transformation is testimony to the consistency and determination of the government and the Greek people. As global infrastructure needs to accelerate, mobilizing private capital is essential — not just to meet today’s demands, but to shape a resilient and competitive future. This is a shared challenge across Europe, and one that calls for deeper collaboration between public institutions and private investors. BlackRock is proud to support this progress, working alongside governments to help deliver lasting impact.”
After years of fiscal repair and structural reform, Greece has restored investment-grade status, posted one of the Eurozone’s highest primary surpluses, and now borrows at rates lower than the U.S. The economy is forecast to grow 2.3% in 2025, outpacing the block’s average of 0.8%.
Hellenic Innovation & Infrastructure Fund
HIIF serves as the investment arm of Growthfund, Greece’s National Investment Fund, established to attract investments in dynamic sectors of the New Economy, including, energy, agrotechnology, the circular and blue economy, and digital infrastructure. Through a disciplined investment approach and independent governance, HIIF aims to deliver long-term returns while maximizing social, economic, and environmental impact. BlackRock Financial Markets Advisory supported the preparatory and implementation activities for the establishment and operation of HIIF.
The Summit opened with a clear message from Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance of Greece, who emphasized: “Greece is not just another Eurozone country. After a wave of reforms, it is a country embodying all the institutional virtues of a modern European economy. This is why we can now make investments happen and succeed. Apart from the fact that Greece has been a mature Eurozone country, it can also offer global investors unique opportunities as a country at the crossroads between Southeastern Europe and the Middle East, because it combines modernization with certain virtues of geography.”
Credits PM Press Office/ Dimitris Papamitsos
HIIF also marks a milestone in Growthfund’s evolution into a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Alongside existing platforms such as PHAISTOS Fund, the Hellenic Center for Defence and Innovation (ELKAK), and the PHAROS AI Factory, Growthfund is already supporting the realization of landmark infrastructure projects of national significance – spanning roads, ports and maritime facilities, airports, and logistics hubs – through its state-owned enterprises and participations. Growthfund provides an institutional gateway for international investors seeking stable, long-term opportunities in Greece.
Yannis Papachristou, CEO of Growthfund said: “With the Hellenic Innovation and Infrastructure Fund (HIIF), Growthfund further strengthens its role as a reliable partner for international investors. The new Fund launches with an initial capital of €303 million, while the first investment will be completed in the coming months. Our goal in the years ahead is to attract €1 billion of investments into the Greek economy, generating multiplier benefits for the people.”
Credits PM Press Office/ Dimitris Papamitsos
Athens International Investor Summit
The Athens International Investor Summit (AIIS) brought together senior international investors, Greek policymakers, and industry leaders to explore Greece’s investment landscape at the intersection of innovation and infrastructure. Discussions focused on tangible investment requirements across several sectors, including Energy Transition; Water Security; Logistics; and Digital Infrastructure and AI.
According to the Vice President of the Government of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Hatzidakis, who is closing the proceedings of the Summit, ensuring a transparent and stable investment environment constitutes a long-term commitment of the government.
Yannis Stournaras, Governor of the Bank of Greece, also addressed the Summit, providing key insights into the macroeconomic outlook and the country’s investment environment.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Athens International Investor Summit (AIIS)
The AIIS brings together intent, capability, and opportunity to unlock investment potential. Throughout the summit, the agenda moved from vision to execution with a series of high-level discussions tackling the future of investment in Greece. AIIS started with a fireside chat titled “Investment Foundations for the Future – The Catalytic Impact of the New Investment Fund,” moderated by Giovanni Sandri, Head of Southern Europe at BlackRock, with contributions from Stelios Fragos, CEO of the Hellenic Innovation and Infrastructure Fund.
On energy transition, Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, led a discussion with Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece; Costas Papamantellos, Energy Investment Professional; and Georgios Stassis, Chairman & CEO of PPC.
The focus then moved to Greece’s role as a regional logistics hub, with Michael Arghyrou, Head of the Economics Office of the Prime Minister, moderating a conversation with Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece; George Peristeris, CEO of GEK Terna Group; and Jorge Gil Villen, Managing Director of Global Infrastructure Partners.
The theme of innovation and venture capital followed, in a session moderated by Andreas Stavropoulos, Partner at Threshold Ventures and Non-Executive Director at Growthfund, where Eirini Schlosser, Founder & CEO of Dyania Health; Byron Nicolaides, Founder & CEO of PeopleCert; and Dimitrios Kottas, Founder & CEO of Delian Alliance Industries .
Finally, Yannis Papachristou, CEO of Growthfund, with Alex Fotakidis, Partner at CVC Greece and Karim Mourad, Global Head of Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) engaged in a discussion on the opportunities and impediments facing Greek investment stories.
The Summit concluded with three high-level investor roundtable discussions, focusing on unlocking infrastructure investment potential in ports, marinas, and logistics; accelerating investment in Greece’s technology and innovation ecosystem; and powering the country’s green transition through energy, water, and sustainable infrastructure.