BSTDB Receives Thess INTEC Delegation in Thessaloniki
Discussions focused on the development prospects of the Thess INTEC innovation and technology park project
The President of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), Dr. Serhat Köksal, joined by Asterios Tsoukalas, Secretary General, Michalis Spanopoulos, General Counsel and Mehmet Tas, Special Advisor to the President received a delegation from the Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center (Thess INTEC) at the Bank’s Headquarters.
The Thess INTEC delegation, led by its President and CEO, Nikos Efthymiadis, also included Nikos Katsiadakis, responsible for ecosystem development, and Ambassador Michael B. Christides, Member of the Advisory Board responsible for international relations. The delegation briefed the BSTDB Management on the project’s activities, objectives and future development plans, as well as its expected contribution to innovation, research and technology in the region.
Particular emphasis was placed on the potential for cooperation between BSTDB and Thess INTEC, leveraging their expertise and networks across the wider Black Sea region to implement targeted projects addressing critical challenges such as climate change and its impacts, marine pollution, the depletion of fish stocks, and the promotion of the blue economy.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on developments in the broader innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, including issues related to technology, investment, regional development and potential areas of cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to proceed with the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will outline the key areas of mutual interest and the prospects for future cooperation.
Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center (Thess INTEC) is a private-sector initiative combining the participation of the city’s leading industries and institutions with the full support of the Hellenic Government. It is the first fourth-generation technology park in Greece and is being developed on a prime site adjacent to Thessaloniki International Airport. Thess INTEC is expected to become one of Europe’s largest science and technology parks, attracting approximately EUR 500 million in domestic and foreign investment over the next five to ten years. More information is available at www.thessintec.eu
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.
