NEW YORK – The 21st Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum took place on December 9 at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. The event has a 21-year track record, attracts 1,000+ delegates and features government leaders from Greece, Europe, and the United States, as well as business leaders and top executives from the investment, financial, and business communities. The forum was followed by a Networking Cocktail Reception.

With a new government which has solid parliamentary majority and popular mandate coupled with a clear, realistic, and business friendly strategy, Greece is expected to embark on a solid growth trajectory. Foreign investments are of critical significance for the re-launching of the economy. With a proven track record and wide acceptance within the business, financial, and investment communities, the Capital Link Forum offers the perfect timing to communicate the proper message to a wider and highly targeted audience, enhance investor interest and confidence, and help attract foreign investments.

Among the speakers were Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis (via webcast), Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras, Minister of Development & Investments Andonis Georgiadis, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Ioannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of Development & Investments Yannis Tsakiris, Deputy Minister of Environment & Energy Gerassimos Thomas, Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue George Pitsilis, and the General Director of the Public Debt Management Agency Dimitris Tsakonas.

Capital Link President Nicolas Bornozis said, “this year the theme of the conference is ‘Greece is Back.’ After many years of recession and crisis, Greece has finally taken the path of growth and prosperity. The trend is now clearly positive. We see the difference in the quality of the attendees at our conference, we see many entrepreneurs and investors who have come to meet the best of the best in Greek business and the representatives of the Greek government. All Wall Street is here. I am very moved and happy to be Greek.”

The Annual Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award Dinner followed the Forum on Monday. The Leadership Award Dinner Keynote Speaker was United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross. The 2019 Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award was presented to John Paulson, President & Portfolio Manager, Paulson & Co. Inc., for his outstanding contribution to Greece.

Capital Link recognized Paulson’s commitment and transformational contribution to Greece. He has been one of the early investors in Greece, believed in the country and its potential, and took the long term approach staying the course despite several bumps in the road. Furthermore, he made a significant positive impact on how business is done in Greece and on investor perceptions of the country.

Within the context of the 21st Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in cooperation with Capital Link organized a special ceremony in honor of Greece titled Greek American Issuer Day at NYSE.

On December 10, the NYSE held an official reception in honor of the Greek Delegation, Greek companies listed on the NYSE, and companies that participated in the 21st Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum, which was held with great success the previous day.

The NYSE flew the Greek flag on Wall Street and issued special commemorative medals to honor the members of the Greek Delegation.

Finance Minister of the Hellenic Republic Christos Staikouras and Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, President and CEO, Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE: TNP); Chairman, INTERTANKO 2014-2018, rang the closing bell, accompanied on the Bell Podium by Minister of Development & Investments Adonis Georgiadis, Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Ioannis Plakiotakis, and senior executives of the following NYSE listed companies: AMERESCO Executive VP & Board Member David Anderson, CITI Managing Director, Country Corporate Officer, Greece, Cyprus & Malta Emilios Kyriacou, Diana Shipping Inc. Deputy CEO Semiramis Paliou, Dorian LPG Marina Hadjipateras, Mistras Group, Inc. CEO Dennis Bertolotti, Navios Group Vice Chairman Ted Petrone, New York Community Bank (parent of Atlantic Bank of New York) CEO Joseph Ficalora, Capital Link President Nicolas Bornozis, and Capital Link Managing Director Olga Bornozi.

The Greek delegation on Greek Day at the New York Stock Exchange waiting to ring the closing bell. Photo: TNH/ Matina Demelis

Chris Taylor, VP of Listings, NYSE, welcomed the Greek Delegation and the listed companies and highlighted the long-standing relationship between the NYSE and the Greek and Greek-American business communities.

The active support and participation of NYSE, the world’s largest stock exchange, enhances the prestige and the visibility of the Forum and of Greece to a wider international investment audience. It also shows the stable support of NYSE to Greece, the Greek companies, the Greek shipping industry, and the Greek-American Diaspora. The U.S. Capital Markets are a major source of capital for a growing number of companies of Greek interest and the NYSE is playing a leading role.

The event was broadcast live on major news stations in the United States and abroad to an estimated audience of 150 million viewers worldwide.