On 19th June, Greece and China signed over a dozen trade and investment deals with an approximated worth of $4.6 billion (€3.4 billion).
The deals were agreed as Chinese Prime Minister Li Kequiang began a three-day official visit.
“Greece can become China’s gateway in Europe, and the start of a European trade corridor,” Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said at the joint conference with Li. Athens seeks to “bring China even closer to Europe,” Samaras said.
The deals included multi-billion dollar Chinese bank loans to build at least 10 Greek-owned ships in Chinese shipyards. Also, there have been agreements on the construction of solar energy parks in Greece, and trade deals involving marble, granite, wine and olive oil.
“Co-operation between Greece and China is always mutually beneficial,” Li said, adding that Beijing would also take an interested in new Greek bond issues expected later this year. “When the Greek government issues bonds, China will continue to be a long-term, responsible investor,” Li commented.
