The absurd way in which the country has been dealing with foreign investment up to now is thankfully coming to an end. Years ago, when China’s Cosco and the Greek government were preparing to sign the Piraeus port deal, the Chinese president had expressed his wish to travel to Athens for the event. He was duly informed that the ceremony would not take place at the port due to possible negative reactions and protests. The leader of the superpower, who had decided to invest in Greece following the efforts made by the Costas Karamanlis government, eventually signed the deal at the Maximos Mansion.

This incident is telling of the passion with which a portion of the political and unionist system kept pushing investment away. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the government are now fighting a very public and well-organized battle to attract and take the stigma out of large-scale investment, the only kind of investment that can lead to new jobs. Society has also recognized the need for the country to welcome those wishing to invest rather than to chase them off.