Despite Greece’s dire economic situation, several foreign investors have expressed interest in the large property assets which the government wants to develop. These are Athens’s former international airport at Elliniko, the Cassiope area on Corfu, the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) in Athens, and the Afantou area on Rhodes, which includes a golf course.

The most prominent of the 16 companies to have expressed an initial interest are as follows:

Atlantica Hellas: A subsidiary of UK-based Atlantica Hotels & Resorts which is interested in Afantou. It is majority-owned by TUI Travel PLC. Atlantica Hotels manages 25 hotels around the Mediterranean, of which 13 are in Greece, eight on Cyprus and four in Egypt.

Elbit: An Israeli company interested in Elliniko. Elbit Imaging Ltd has participated in large realty developments in Europe, America and India. It is supported by Israeli pension funds and insurers and is considered one of the favorites for Elliniko.

Gazit: The second Israeli company interested in Elliniko is based in Florida, USA, but its parent company, Gazit Globe, is based in Tel Aviv. It manages realty assets valued at about $17.8 billion in the Americas.

LSGI SA: Based in Paris, it manages some 70 large malls in France, Italy, Belgium and Spain. Also interested in Elliniko.

Lamda Development: A member of the Latsis Group, listed in Athens. Has expressed interest in Elliniko, Afantou and IBC -- of which it is the current concessionaire.

London & Regional Properties: One of the biggest realty management companies in Europe, with a portfolio of assets exceeding 6 billion euros.

Minoan Group: Based in Glasgow, it specializes in travel and entertainment and is interested in Afantou. It is listed on London’s AIM market and is also seeking to develop the Cavo Sidero area on Crete.

NCH Capital: An investment company managing assets of around $3.5 billion. It runs 21 investment funds with assets in Eastern Europe. It has expressed interest in Afantou and Cassiope (the sole suitor).

Qatari Diar: A subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority with a portfolio worth around $65 billion. It has expressed interest in Elliniko and is one of the strongest contestants.

REDS: A member of Greece’s Ellaktor Group, it manages realty assets worth 160 million euros and is interested in the IBC.

Talima Ventures: Interested in the IBC, it is majority-owned by the Constantinou family, active in Venezuela, and manages The Mall Athens.

Trump Acquisitions: Owned by American tycoon Donald Trump, it is interested in Elliniko but not considered among the favorites.

Temes: The Greek company which has developed the Costa Navarino resort in Messinia is interested in Afantou on Rhodes.