Category: Athens

  • Concession Agreement for the development of Alimos Marina, signed

    Concession Agreement for the development of Alimos Marina, signed

    The signing process of the Concession Agreement between the competent Ministers- Representatives of the Greek State, the Public Properties Company (ETAD), HRADF, AKTOR CONCESSIONS and the Concessionaire “DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ALIMOS MARINA” was completed.

    From now on, AKTOR Concessions undertakes the responsibility to reshape and regenerate the land and maritime areas, highlighting the comparative advantages of Alimos Marina.

    More specifically, the Development Plan provides the creation of a marina that will be a modern and attractive pole of leisure and business activity with upgraded, functional and outdoor spaces.

    In this new, multifaceted and protected environment, a series of business and recreational activities will be developed, with a set of options and services that will make Alimos Marina a point of reference for the “Athenian Riviera”, but also for the Mediterranean region.

    How Alimos Marina project looks

    In the land zone of the marina, that spans nearly across 210 acres, 18,000 m² of modern design, upscale ground floor or up to two stories premises  will be developed for recreation, dining, hospitality services, office spaces, boat parking and repair services, as well as for commercial use.

    The surrounding area of the marina’s land zone will be landscaped in such a way so as to incorporate streets, pedestrian lanes, bicycle paths, parking spaces, as well as green areas to host outdoor cultural events for the visitors. Moreover, both the working spaces that will be constructed, as well as the warehouses, the repair services spaces and the retail establishments will be addressed to the most important companies in professional yacht charters, as well as to other companies that are active in the boats segment, the tourism sector as well as to the wider entrepreneurship.

    The maritime zone of the Alimos Marina, an area of 428 acres, disposes of nearly 1,000 berths, after the reconstruction of the floating pontoons, which will present a new, modern design that will make the best use of the necessary space for offering top quality services to the vessels and their users.

    Furthermore, special attention will be paid to the modernization of important areas for the smooth operation of the dock, such as modern establishments (pillars) for boats refueling, other safety facilities, lighting, security with automated surveillance systems etc.

    Finally, there will be special provision for maintaining the marina area and especially the waterfront area clean, in order to protect the environment from the marina operation, preserve the high cleaning standards and comply with the regulation for the collection and disposal of all waste (liquid and solid, from vessels and other uses).

  • Greek unemployment rate, to record the biggest increase in a decade

    Greek unemployment rate, to record the biggest increase in a decade

    Greek unemployment rate is expected to record the biggest increase in a decade, suprassing the period 2011-2013, the Federation of Hellenic Enterprises (SEV) said in a report, cited by AMNA.gr.

    The report said that the balance of job flows in March fell to its maximum negative level since 2001 (-41,903 job positions), a figure worse from the 2011-2013 period when the collapse of the Greek economy was at its peak. 

    New hirings fell 49% in March compared with the same month last year (103,002 from 202,157), while dismissals fell 8.7 pct to 144,905 from 158,784. 

    SEV noted that two sectors recorded a positive balance of labor flows: public administration and defense (+1,115 job positions) and human health (+393).

  • Public Power Corporation, increase in turnover by 4% in 2019

    Public Power Corporation, increase in turnover by 4% in 2019

    Public Power Corporation (PPC) adjusted pre – tax losses for 2019 amounted to € 424.4 m compared to adjusted pre – tax losses of € 347.3 m in 2018.

    It is noted that starting from Q4 2019, there has been a reversal of the trend, since it is the first quarter that fully incorporates the positive impact from measures taken, with recurring EBITDA amounting to €236.8 m compared to €44.7 m in Q4 2018.

    Adjusted pre-tax profits amounted to € 26.9 m. compared to pre-tax losses of € 131.6 m. last year.

    Public Power Corporation (PPC) EBITDA for 2019 was positively impacted by the rebate of € 99.3 m. from the surplus created in the Special Account for Renewables, by the reduction by € 243.4 m of the liability for post-retirement
    benefits, as well as by the settlement of a total amount of € 122.6 m for PSOs for previous years (collection of € 194.7 for the period 2007-2011 and negative impact by € 72.1 m. for 2017).

    Excluding abovementioned amounts, recurring EBITDA settles at € 333.6 m. For comparability reasons, EBITDA for 2018 is adjusted at € 403.8 m.

    The deterioration of recurring EBITDA for the full year is primarily attributed to higher expense for the purchase of CO2 emission rights driven by the significant increase of prices, which more than doubled, as well as to the negative impact on energy purchases cost by increased System Marginal Price.

    On the other hand, EBITDA was positively impacted by the partial recovery of the higher expense for the purchase of CO2 emission rights through the CO2 clause in Medium and High Voltage tariffs as well as the measures taken since August 2019 and the cost containment efforts of the company.

  • Sunlight to increase production capacity by 25%

    Sunlight to increase production capacity by 25%

    2019 marked for Sunlight the complete restoration of its production operations, as well as the expansion of its production capacity at its factory in N. Olvio, Xanthi, by 25%.

    At the same time, Sunlight’s full comeback  in the international industrial batteries markets, the establishment of the subsidiary Sunlight Batteries USA Inc. in America, and its entry into the dynamic market of smart lithium batteries, through the pioneer Li.ON FORCE series, were the most significant milestones for 2019.

    The FY 2019 financials of the Group for 2019 were improved. Sunlight Group’s turnover amounted to € 180 million vs € 108 million in 2018. It is noted that the full restoration of the production capacity of the industrial batteries sector was achieved in July 2019. 

    The Group’s EBITDA stood at € 22.2 million vs. €19.7 million the previous year. Earnings before taxes of the group amounted to € 11.7 million vs. € 10.1 million, marking a small increase.

    The first six months of 2019 Group’ s efforts focused on restoring production capacity as quickly as possible to the level before the fire incident, a goal that was not only achieved in record time (July 2019), but also overcome via the capacity expansion program by 25%.

    During the same period, Sunlight achieved its full reinstatement in the international industrial batteries’ markets.

    At the same time, Sunlight placed great emphasis on R&D. The Li.ON FORCE series of lithium smart batteries for Industrial Vehicles (EIVs), launched in 2019, incorporates Internet of Things and Machine Learning features.

    With a fit-for-purpose approach and designed entirely by a specialized team of engineers, based in Xanthi, Sunlight completes its product range addressing effectively all industrial mobility requirements. 

    In addition, the other two production plants (recycling facility in Komotini and battery assembly facility in Verona, Italy), which are integral parts of the Sunlight value chain, continued their constant improvement in operations.

    Finally, in December 2019, Sunlight proceeded with the establishment of a subsidiary in North Carolina, USA, Sunlight Batteries USA, with the aim of accelerating its expansion to the second largest market in the world.

  • 24-7 Intouch announces expansion into Athens, Greece

    24-7 Intouch announces expansion into Athens, Greece

    24-7 Intouch will open an campus in Athens, Greece. This will be the first location in Europe and 18th campus internationally for the Winnipeg-based global customer care and technology company, which currently operates in the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Colombia, Jamaica and the Philippines.

    The 50,000+ square foot campus will be home to some of the most recognized brands in the world.

    “Our global footprint, including expanding into Europe for the first time, is intentional and allows us to move quickly and anticipate future growth of our client partners,” said Greg Fettes, Co-Founder & CEO of 24-7 Intouch. “Greece has a thriving BPO industry, and we look forward to bringing over 600 jobs, innovative customer care solutions, and our unique culture to the Athens area.”

    Why 24-7 Intouch choose Athens

    Athens is one of the biggest economic centers in southeastern Europe and is home to a young and educated workforce. Greece holds the second global position in skilled labor, with a large population of bilingual residents.

    Not only are English and French widely spoken across Athens, this expansion will also allow 24-7 Intouch to enhance their language capabilities to include German, Latin, Italian, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern languages.

    “Our approach to global growth is driven through regional and local evaluations,” said Mitul Kotecha, President of 24-7 Intouch. “Athens is a perfect fit for us from a service culture and community perspective, and we are excited to create new partnerships in the European market.”

    The Athens campus is set to open in early 2020.