87th Thessaloniki Int’l Fair (TIF) – OT FORUM – Greek privatization agency head: We’re ready to contribute to restoration projects in flood-ravaged areas

The new role of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund- HRADF to run tenders more quickly in the context of the challenges created by climate change was mentioned by Panagiotis Stamboulidis, Authorized Advisor HRADF – Head of the Strategic Contracts Unit.

Speaking in the framework of the OT Forum, at the 87th TIF, Mr. Stampoulidis emphasized that privatizations remain as the central axis for HRADF, but now under the spectrum of the utilization of European resources.

Infrastructure projects in affected areas

In response to the question of whether the Strategic Contracts Unit is ready to undertake tenders for infrastructure projects in the affected areas, Mr. Stampoulidis emphasized that the entire mechanism involved in public works must be ready to engage in such procedures. As he said, “the unit was not designed for these types of projects, but we have proven that we can also respond to emergency needs. We are a tool made to strengthen the state.”

Mr. Stampoulidis reminded that the existing institutional framework “gives tools to move quickly, especially in assignments concerning networks, roads, etc.” It is the state’s choice which mechanisms to choose, said the Authorized Advisor of HRADF, while he emphasized that technical services are available to several public bodies, simply the peculiarity of HRADF is that it works as a “means of avoiding bureaucracy”.

In light of the recent natural disasters, to the question of what kind of projects the HRADF could undertake, Mr. Stamboulidis referred to the case of the Dadia Forests, where last year’s fire was stopped in the fire protection zone that had resulted from a project by the HRADF, noting that from the state was allocated over 160 million euros for forest protection.

Speed of project implementation

Afterwards, Mr. Stampoulidis noted that HRADF “runs” faster but cannot bypass specific procedures or legal objections. He also noted that there is room for improvement in how one can go to court. “We have been involved with litigation mongers who are delaying projects and tenders,” he stressed.

Subsequently, the Authorized Advisor of HRADF referred to the many privatization cases for major projects in Greece that have been promoted in recent years, specifically mentioning DEPA Infrastructure, Gournes, Attiki Odos, Egnatia.

“Now the goal is to complete all the projects that the Recovery Fund has assigned us, while the challenge is to upgrade 80 hospitals – costing 240 million euros – with upgrades to emergency departments and building infrastructure, as well as 136 health centers throughout the country with an energy upgrade.

Market response

One point that Mr. Stamboulidis pointed out is that the market seems unprepared to participate in tenders. Now there are 20-30 contests a week and the entries are minimal, he noted. “When the pie grows it seems that there is no capacity of the market to respond,” he stressed. We say “we have the money, you enter, you bid, you take over, you complete, you get paid,” he added.

In the next plans of HRADF, the next steps for Attiki Odos and Athens International Airport are now included “El. Venizelos” but also the dozens of other “projects that come close to citizens and businesses – projects that change the everyday life of citizens”.