By Binsal Abdulkader
ABU DHABI, 1st June, 2022 (WAM) — Greece is keen to showcase “significant progress” in its media and entertainment industry that offers “great opportunities” for foreign investment and collaboration with international media, during the Congress Media World to be held in Abu Dhabi in November, a senior official told Emirates News Agency (WAM).
“Greek media has made significant technological advancements in recent years. The media and entertainment industry is already expanding beyond Greek borders. Based on their ever-growing dynamics, adapting to the demands of our times , I firmly believe that there are great opportunities for their development in the years to come,” said Ioannis Dimitriou Oikonomou, Deputy Minister to the Greek Prime Minister and government spokesperson.
Huge opportunities in digital media
In an email interview with WAM from Athens, he highlighted the growing investment opportunities in the digital media sector in Greece. “Investments [opportunities] are not limited to traditional media [newspapers, radio, television etc.]but also extended to the digital sector whose potential seems inexhaustible in view of the technological advances of the last decades,” said Oikonomou.
Greece is clearly interested in attracting foreign investment in all sectors, especially in the media and entertainment industry, the minister said. Investments in broadcast media enjoy cash rebates and tax breaks. “Greece already has a network of film offices, while the central axis of our government is the upgrading of infrastructure [for entertainment industry],” he said.
The Minister made the comments while referring to the Greek participation in the first edition of the Global Media Congress, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from November 15 to 17, 2022 and organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) within the framework of a strategic partnership with the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Oikonomou said: “I think it is very important that a Congress like this is held in Abu Dhabi. This is a good opportunity for all of us to discuss the modern challenges facing the media. Greece is trying with targeted initiatives to take the international lead in the media environment and it would be an honor for me to be present at the Congress.”
World Media Congress
Placed under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, the World Media Congress will include a press conference and an exhibition, which will allow various media organizations to discuss the agreements of partnership and cooperation.
Prominent media leaders and global influencers, in addition to academics and students, will participate in the Congress, which will address several key topics such as digital communication, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge technologies and innovation in the media sector.
The event will serve as a platform for international companies interested in engaging in media markets in the Gulf region, the Middle East and North Africa.
Digitization, government support for media
The Greek minister continued that digitization is an integral part of the Greek media, which has managed to incorporate the latest technologies. Artificial Intelligence, Automated or Robotic Journalism, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are a key part of the daily operation of Greek newspapers, radio stations, TV stations and websites, he explained.
The Greek government is doing its best to contribute to the development of the media industry. “It’s not just about technology support, training opportunities, but also the effort to support them with the sole purpose of maintaining positions,” Oikonomou said, adding that these efforts are not limited to companies. media based in major cities but in all regions.
Collaboration with Global Media, UAE Media Sector
Greek media have clear strategies to strengthen their collaborations with foreign media, the minister stressed. “That’s why many Greek media, as part of their cooperation with European and international media, exchange good practices and ideas, republish content and cultivate strong interaction among themselves.”
Likewise, the strong diplomatic relations between Greece and the UAE can also be extended to the media sector, he underlined.
Oikonomou highlighted the meeting between President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Abu Dhabi in early May, during which they praised the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, as well as the strategic partnership Global Bilateral Agreement (CSP) agreed in November 2020, which gave new impetus to the relationship.
“The close ties between our two countries, at all levels, demonstrate the excellent state of our bilateral relations and the common understanding we have on a wide range of issues. This, of course, can also be applied in the sector of media.”