The signaling of the reset of the Alexandria Innovation Zone (ΑΖΚ) on the basic reason for the creation of, the development in attraction of investments that create jobs for scientists, engineers, executives, high training, stressed the state secretary for the Interior and Administrative Reconstruction (Macedonia-Thrace), Maria Kollias-Tsarouha. On the occasion of the presentation of the initiative “Thessaloniki Innovation Friendly Destination,” mr Tsarouchas stressed that the intention of the government is the emergence of Northern Greece to the point of reference for the development of the country. “The utilization of ΑΖΚ to support researchers and start-ups demonstrates the political will that exists for adjustment of the Greek economy and the direction of the exploitation of research and innovation”, noted the deputy secretary of state and announced that the next time, there will be legislative interventions necessary for the strengthening of the framework for the operation of the ΑΖΚ as a unique for the country agency for regional development.
E. Angelides: “Together we can do better”
For his part, the president of A.G.K., Pantelis Angelidis explained that the συνεÏγειες of the innovation ecosystem of the city is necessary for becoming the centre of production of innovative excellence global. “The Zone of Innovation in practice the slogan “together we can do better,” said mr. Angelides, and pointed out that “the initiative we are announcing today and every initiative we’ve taken up to now is common”.
“The ΑΖΚ created from a top-down inward-looking organization in a bottom-up flexible catalyst of innovation activity in the city with three pillars of activities: promotion, support, and incentives,” noted mr. Angelides and added that the aim of the Thessaloniki Innovation Friendly Destination” is “Thessaloniki be viewed as what it is: a place of innovation worldwide. Overcome fear of success, fear of visibility, fear of exposure with the aim of Thessaloniki to play gradually more and more strongly the role of an internationally recognised hub for innovation that will lead to the utilization of scientific knowledge for the development and production of innovative technologies, products and services with impact on the economic development”.
What is the “Thessaloniki Innovation Friendly Destination”
It is the central initiative of branding the city to attract investment to create jobs with high added value. The initiative involved the ΥΜΑΘ, the RCM, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, TIF, ARISTOTLE university of thessaloniki, technological educational INSTITUTE, CERTH, FING, SEVE, and the Technopolis. The initiative is under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy.
“Thessaloniki Innovation Friendly Destination” means a city:
• academic and educational institutions world-wide recognition open society
• with a dynamic, outward-looking business community
• with a youthful creative communities
• synergies and αλληλοστήÏιξη
• vibrant, modern, restless
• innovation ecosystem excellent
• business and investment successes
• a city you’re happy to live, to create, to produce, to visit
• a city that is worth to invest
The initiative focuses on three categories of recipients: the city, the country and the international community. Designed a series of targeted actions, such as, for example, the interaction “Learn your city”, the first participants are the guests of the TIF, the guideboοk projection, microsites investinthessaloniki, innovativethessaloniki and doingbusinessinthessaloniki, investors kit, open and closed events within and outside of the city.
At the same time, ΑΖΚ creates a reception desk and a network of volunteers abroad. The initiative is complementary with the actions of the other pillars of activity of the ΑΖΚ, such as for example the OK!Thess and the actions of the actors of the innovation ecosystem, such as, for example, Thessaloniki: Many Stories, One Heart, scientific conferences, business missions, international exhibitions.k.
“The ΑΖΚ longer has an active role in the development of the region”
—