A high-level visit to the Onex Elefsis Shipyards paves the way for strategic partnerships in the naval and defense sectors
Athens – Greece and Saudi Arabia are evaluating new collaboration opportunities to foster Saudi investments in Greek shipbuilding and the defense industry. The Greek Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos and the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef met in Athens, before visiting the Onex Elefsis Shipyards, accompanied by the president and CEO of Onex, Panos Xenokostas.
During the visit, the Saudi delegation explored the facilities, receiving updates on the shipyard development projects and the expected employment impact, with thousands of new jobs. The Greek authorities emphasized the strategic role of the Elefsis Shipyards in the revival of the national shipbuilding industry, supported by the Ministry of Development as a priority investment.
During the meetings, the two ministers discussed strengthening bilateral economic relations and possible Saudi investments in the naval, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and construction sectors.
Theodorikakos noted that trade between the two countries has already reached 1.9 billion euros, but the common goal is to expand it further, by facilitating reciprocal investments.
The visit to the Onex Elefsis Shipyards was interpreted as a decisive step towards a strategic cooperation destined to redefine the investment map between Southeastern Europe and the Middle East.
