Microsoft announces major investment to Greece, confidence vote in Greek economy

Microsoft Corp. announced on Monday its “GR for GRowth” initiative, a significant technology commitment to support the people, government and businesses of all sizes in Greece with technology and resources to create new opportunities for growth, according to a press release.

As part of the plan, Microsoft announced its intent to build new datacenters that will establish a Microsoft Cloud region in the country, adding Greece to the world’s largest cloud infrastructure footprint and delivering access to low-latency, enterprise-grade cloud services.

To support citizens in both professional and personal ambitions, Microsoft also announced its plan to skill approximately 100,000 people in Greece in digital technologies by 2025.
Microsoft President Brad Smith made the announcement at the New Acropolis Museum alongside Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece Prime Minister, and Theodosis Michalopoulos, General Manager of Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta.

“Today’s commitment to the people and businesses of Greece will position the country among the digital leaders of Europe. A Microsoft datacenter region provides a competitive advantage to our digital economy. At the same time, it is a long-term investment and a vote of confidence in our country’s potential. The cloud is transforming every industry and sector. The investment in skilling 100,000 citizens will empower today and tomorrow’s Greek workforce,” said Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The construction of a cutting-edge data center from a tech giant such as Microsoft automatically upgrades the country where it is built as a destination for investment. But in Greece especially, it doesn’t just mean the inflow of more foreign capital, additional income for the state coffers or new high-skill jobs. It also means an added value in terms of quality”, he added.

“By a substantial margin, this is Microsoft’s largest investment in our 28 years of operating here in Greece. It’s an investment that reflects our confidence in the Greek economy, our confidence in the Greek people and our confidence in the Greek government. It is not something that we do in very many places, it is not something that we do lightly” said Brad Smith, Microsoft President.

“Greece was among the last-place finishers in the 2nd and 3rd industrial revolutions. In the 4th industrial revolution we want to be among the leaders. The 4th industrial revolution has to do with automation through the use of technologies such as AI, machine learning and big data. At the heart of this revolution we find the cloud”, said Theodosis Michalopoulos, General Manager of Microsoft Greece Cyprus and Malta.

The Greece datacenter region will join Microsoft’s global footprint of cloud regions, now totaling 63 regions announced, with Microsoft Azure available in over 140 countries, and will provide companies local access to Microsoft’s full set of cloud services

Leading companies of Greece are already using Microsoft’s cloud to ensure their seamless operation, optimize their processes and increase customer satisfaction through advanced collaboration and cloud development services. Today, we are proud to announce that Alpha Bank, Eurobank, National Bank of Greece, OTE Group, Piraeus Bank, Public Power Corporation (DEI) have all expressed their intent to use the Microsoft Cloud services when available from the new region in Greece, read the press release.

In addition, Microsoft’s cloud services will play a key role in creating new ways to digitally preserve, celebrate and experience the culture of Greece. As part of Microsoft’s AI for Cultural Heritage program, the company is collaborating with the Ministry of Culture and Sports to bring the Ancient City of Olympia to life using artificial intelligence and other technologies.

The immersive, 3D presentation of the monuments and artifacts will give people around the world the opportunity to experience them as they were nearly 3,000 years ago. The project has been approved by the Archaeological Council (KAS) and will be available in 2021.